Paulo Ferreira

Paulo Ferreira was without a shadow of doubt one of the finest fullbacks in and around the Portuguese league during his playing career. He was an integral part of the FC Porto team that won the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in successive seasons under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho and it was the same Mourinho who lured him to the Premier League. Paulo Ferreira was taken from FC Porto to Chelsea by Jose Mourinho shortly after the club stunned a lot of people to win the Champions League at the end of the 2003/04 season. As at then, Paulo Ferreira had played for FC Porto in the Portuguese league for just two years. He didn’t start his career at FC Porto as he moved to the club from Vitoria Setubal in the same first division as far as club football in Portugal is concerned.

Chelsea legend Paulo Ferreira started his professional football career in his native Portugal with Estoril before moving to Vitoria Setubal. He played for Estoril between 1997 and 2000 as he appeared for the club in both the second and third divisions. Paulo Ferreira signed for Vitoria Setubal at the start of the 2000/01 season and he contributed his quoted to the club’s promotion from the Segunda Liga to the top flight. Vitoria Setubal gained promotion to the first division after finishing in third place in the Segunda Liga. Paulo Ferreira scored two goals in 33 league appearances for Vitoria Setubal during that season. He made his debut in the Portuguese first division in August 2001 in a game that ended in a 3-1 defeat for his team at the hands of hosts Maritimo. Jose Mourinho signed him for FC Porto in the summer of 2002 and he went on to win two successive league titles missing just two games. He was converted from a right midfielder to a right-back during his FC Porto days.