Albert Ferrer

[James 5,198]

A pacy and tough-tackling defender, "Chapi" Ferrer began his professional career with FC Barcelona B, then serving a loan with CD Tenerife in 1989–90, making his La Liga debuts at age 19.

He returned to the main squad the following summer, and became the club's first-choice right-back, remaining as such for the following eight years, in which he scored once; he often partnered another club graduate, Sergi Barjuán, in the defensive wings.

Ferrer was a key member of the famous Dream Team and, during his time in Catalonia, won five leagues, a European Cup, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, two domestic cups, four Supercups and two UEFA Super Cups.

As the Dutch dominance at the Camp Nou - in terms of players - was still an important one (the club was coached by Louis van Gaal), Ferrer left the club in June 1998 amongst other club greats, as Guillermo Amor, moving to Chelsea for £2.2 million, and quickly established himself in the side, helping the club qualify for its first ever Champions League campaign, in his first season. Chelsea won the FA Cup the following year (but he missed the final through injury) and reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League; during the run in the latter, he played in 14 of the club's 16 games, and scored his only goal for Chelsea, in a 2–0 win against Hertha Berlin.

A combination of injuries[3] and manager Gianluca Vialli's squad rotation policy reduced Ferrer's opportunities in the following season and he made only 14 league appearances. The club reached another FA Cup final in 2002 (which he again missed, though this time through not being selected). Out of favour and facing strong competition from younger defenders at the club, Ferrer made just seven league appearances in his final two years at Chelsea and left in May 2003, upon the expiry of his contract, playing 113 overall games for the London-based club, and retiring shortly after, at 33.

[BomTrett 50]

Used to love him haha

When he wasnt injured he played well for Chelsea and probably didnt get the respect or recognition he perhaps deserved.

I always liked that he shared the same birthday as me haha, random point, but hey