Quaresma joins Chelsea

Ricardo Quaresma took a thinly disguised swipe at Jose Mourinho as Chelsea’s latest signing admitted he couldn’t wait to link up with Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Quaresma joined the Premier League club on loan until the end of the season just before Monday’s transfer deadline and the Portgual winger was delighted to make the switch after a spectacular fall from grace under Mourinho at Inter Milan.

When Mourinho paid 20 million pounds to sign his compatriot from Porto in September it looked as though the gifted playmaker would finally thrive at the highest level after a previous failed spell with Barcelona.

But the 25-year-old struggled to adapt to the demands of Serie A and quickly fell out with Mourinho over his lack of first team opportunities.

Quaresma was told he would be allowed to leave and jumped at the chance to join Chelsea as it reunited him with Scolari, who coached him with the Portugal national team.

“You get criticism everywhere. Some people like you and some people don’t. It is natural in life and in football,” Quaresma said at his official unveiling on Friday. “I don’t care about that. What I care about is working hard to show my qualities.

“These things happen in football. Players can’t really prove or show anything if they don’t have the opportunities to play.

“I’m very happy that I have that opportunity now. Mr Scolari gives you lots of confidence.

“I heard from Mr Mourinho that Inter were thinking about loaning me to a club. When I heard about Chelsea I didn’t think twice.

“Chelsea was my first choice, especially when I heard Mr Scolari was interested in me because I knew I would have an opportunity to show my game.”

Quaresma made just 13 league appearances for Inter but he is certain to be given a chance to shine under Scolari.

With Joe Cole sidelined for the rest of the season through injury and Florent Malouda out of form, there is an opening for a creative force on the flanks and Quaresma is set to make an immediate debut in Saturday’s match against Hull at Stamford Bridge.

“I’m not unhappy or regretful that I went to Inter Milan. Things happen sometimes that you can’t control. Each coach has their own options and ideas and you have to respect that,” Quaresma said.

“I don’t like to dwell much on the past. I’m very happy to have this opportunity to come to one of the greatest clubs in the world.

“I don’t think I have to prove anything to anybody. All I think about is to work hard and show my best qualities on the pitch. I want to help Chelsea achieve their goals.

“I’m confident I’m going to be on the pitch on Saturday and will show my game.”

Quaresma believes he will adapt to life in England easily because of the warm welcome he has received from Chelsea’s Portuguese stars.

Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Hilario and Jose Bosingwa will all be familiar faces to Quaresma, who is determined to repay Chelsea’s faith in him by firing the club back into the title race.

“It is always good to have friends around you. I’m really glad that we Portuguese are improving our game and playing in many great clubs around Europe,” he said.

“My colleagues have welcomed me very nicely and I want to repay them by playing with joy and hard work.

“I hope to play well to fulfil the expectations of the team and also to help the people who believed in me, the people who are giving me the opportunity to show my quality.

“I hope I can help them to achieve their goals and win titles with Chelsea.”