Carvalho stresses desire to quit Chelsea

Portugal centre-back Ricardo Carvalho has reiterated his desire to leave Chelsea in an interview published in Tuesday’s Corriere dello Sport.

The 31-year-old former Porto defender had a miserable season in London last time out, largely due to injuries which saw him lose his place in the Chelsea team.

And now he has set his heart on a move away from Stamford Bridge with Inter his preferred destination, although the two teams cannot agree on a fee.

“I want to start a new cycle in my career, I feel ready to do so,” he said.

“I have spoken to Chelsea’s bosses and they know what I want, we’ll see what happens now.

“I’ve been in London for five years and I’ve had some great times. I won many things and the only thing that was missing was the Champions League, which last year (2008) escaped us only on penalties.

“The first four seasons were fantastic but the last one was really difficult. It’s only right that our paths (his and Chelsea’s) separate.”

Carvalho has a very clear idea of where he wants to go to and more or less ruled out a move to moneybags Manchester City, who have reportedly offered three times more than Inter to try to secure his services.

“My agent Jorge Mendes knows what I want. If I leave Chelsea I only want to play for a top club, otherwise I’ll stay in London and respect my contract,” he added.

“I’m not saying that because I’m being presumptuous but because over the last few seasons I’ve played at a certain level and I can still do so.

“Inter are a top club, even a ‘special’ one. I’ve heard great things about them,” he said alluding to Inter boss Jose Mourinho’s self-proclaimed nickname: The Special One.

Carvalho played under Mourinho for two years at Porto, winning the Champions League together in 2004, and his countryman even brought him to London when he moved to Chelsea.

Carvalho is keen to secure a reunion.

“I don’t need to speak with Mourinho because he knows me well. When he arrived at Porto we started winning.

“They were two and a half unforgettable years and then we went together to England.

“Playing for someone who does everything to win is an important stimulant.”

As well as rejoining his former boss, Carvalho hopes that Chelsea team-mate Deco follows suit and another fellow Portugal international Ricardo Quaresma stays put in Milan.

Both players, also formerly of Porto, are coming off seasons to forget with Deco failing to find his best form at Chelsea and Quaresma struggling likewise during his first season in Milan.

In January he then opted for a loan move to Chelsea but that too turned sour and he hardly ever played.

“Rest assured that he’s a special player and I’m not just saying that because he’s my friend and we played together in the national team and at Chelsea.

“His first five months at Inter were difficult but he’s quality and you don’t lose quality in half a season.

“Deco is fantastic and even if he didn’t play as he can in London, he’s still one of the best midfielders in Europe.”