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Date of Birth: Thursday, January 18, 1979
Birth Place: Portugal
Height: 182cm
Position: Defender
Former Clubs/Teams: FC Porto, Vitória Setúbal

Biography

Paulo Ferreira is an attacking full-back for Portugal and Chelsea in the English Premier League. Paulo is equally adept on either side on defence, but made his name as a right-back. He can play in the centre of defence if necessary, but this doesn’t play to his main strengths – his fantastic passing ability, willingness to break forward, and above all else his reliable tackling.

Childhood

Paulo Ferreira was born on 18th January 1979 in the popular Portuguese tourist spot of Cascais. He grew up with marathon games of football on the beach, which helped him to stay extremely fit. As a child, he fancied himself as a defensive central midfielder, where he could break up the play and help lead his side to victory! He was signed up to his local football team, Estoril, after showing promise, and made regular trips to their training base just 5 miles away from his home.

Early Career

Ferreira signed his first contract with the local football team, Estoril, who are based in the outskirts of Lisbon. He made his debut in the Second Division aged 18, but it was only when he turned 20 that he became a regular in the first team. After some convincing performances he was snapped up by Vitoria Setubal, who took him to the top division. He instantly became a hit, with both the manager and the fans, and was voted as one of the most promising youngsters in the whole league.

Inevitably, one of Portugal’s bigger teams stepped in for Paulo, and he moved to FC Porto – a club that matched his ambition. In his two years at Porto, under the management of Jose Mourinho, he won the Portuguese title twice, as well as the Champions League trophy. Ferreira had developed into one of the most consistent performers at the club, and had won everything there was to win in Portugal.

Current Club

Paulo Ferreira followed Jose Mourinho to Chelsea in the summer of 2004. Jose had coached Paulo at Porto, and knew that he was worth every penny of his £17m valuation. Ferreira immediately became the first-choice right-back, and could be relied upon to do the job, and do it well.

A wobble in his confidence saw Paulo struggling in some matches, in spite of the two Premier League titles he had won, and he found himself left on the sidelines below the likes of Boulharouz and Carvalho in the pecking order. Diarra and Essien, both midfielders, were also preferred above him.

Ferreira was still and important member of the squad when he signed a new 5-year deal in February 2008, but a change of coaches and £13.5m later, he found himself as the reserve to new-boy Jose Bosingwa, who is also fighting Paulo for the Portugal right-back spot.

International

Paulo Ferreira made his international debut in September 2002, with his first cap following hot on the heels of his big move to FC Porto. He had forced his way into the first team by Euro 2004, staged in his homeland, but made some bad mistakes in the Finals and was left on the bench for the rest of the tournament. Miguel had been chosen ahead of him at right-back in 2004, and was again the man keeping Paulo out of the team in Germany 2006. In Euro 2008, Paulo was in the first-team, but playing at left-back.