Barthez too 'high-profile' for Blues
Jose Mourinho effectively ruled out a move for Fabien Barthez after third-choice goalkeeper Hilario helped Chelsea overcome Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
Hilario made a competent Blues debut in last night’s 1-0 Champions League win after Petr Cech and understudy Carlo Cudicini had both been sidelined with head injuries sustained in the 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday.
The Portuguese made a string of fine first-half saves to keep Chelsea in the game and the English champions took full advantage when Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba rifled home the decisive goal in the 47th minute.
Former France keeper Barthez, who only recently announced his retirement from the game, is a free agent and therefore entitled to join another club outside the transfer window.
However, Blues boss Mourinho insists Barthez is too much of a high-profile player to join his squad as a third-choice keeper.
Mourinho said: “What I know in this moment is that we have 50 agents calling us and, if they call us, they call the press.
“So Fabien Barthez is a name. There are a lot of names in the air. What I know is that Carlo and Hilario are very good goalkeepers and it is not easy for somebody to come and play in this team.
“Probably, what we have to try to get is a third goalkeeper and, of course, Fabien is not a preferred third goalkeeper. He is a high-profile goalkeeper.
“I prefer to think that now we have Hilario and Carlo, they are first options and we need somebody to give us security and replace Petr Cech in the group of keepers. That is the profile of the goalkeeper we are looking for.”
Cech is likely to be out for a year following surgery on his fractured skull although Cudicini, concussed at Reading, will be back within the next week.
Chairman Bruce Buck said: “When events occur such as those that befell Petr and Carlo over the weekend, it puts things into perspective.
“Carlo, we are all hopeful, will be back to normal soon. Petr’s situation is more problematic. He will need time to recover.
“We are optimistic of a full recovery and look forward to when the best goalkeeper in the world dons his No 1 shirt again at the Bridge.”
Hilario was cheered loudly by the Chelsea fans when he touched the ball for the first time after only two minutes and showed his class with fine saves to deny Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez in the first half and Deco in the second.
It was Drogba who preserved Chelsea’s 100% record in the competition with a stunning drive from 18 yards – his ninth goal of the season.
The Ivorian dedicated his strike to the family of tragic road accident victim Victoria Buchanan.
The 28-year-old was head of operations for Chelsea Pitch Owners, the non-profit organisation that owns the freehold of the Stamford Bridge stadium and which runs its office from there.
A spokesperson for the club said: “Victoria had been head of operations for Chelsea Pitch Owners for the last five years and was killed in a fatal road accident riding her bicycle to work yesterday (Tuesday).
“CPO run their office from Stamford Bridge and so Victoria was effectively a member of staff. She was hugely popular with everyone at Chelsea, staff, players and ex-players.
“We are all devastated by this tragic news. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to her fiancee and family.”
