In recent seasons, Chelsea have had a number of unsuccessful loanees join the club, and ultimately fail to make an impact during their brief stints in West London. The likes of Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato spring to mind.
Another loanee to have a short and unimpressive spell at Stamford Bridge is this week’s Forgotten Blue.
That man is Ricardo Quaresma.
Quaresma started his footballing career with Sporting Lisbon, featuring in the same side as Cristiano Ronaldo. In the summer of 2003, he and Ronaldo both left the club. Ronaldo moved to Manchester United, and Quaresma to Barcelona. Despite both earning high profile moves, one player’s career would ultimately turn out better than the other’s.
After a season at the Nou Camp, Quaresma made 22 league appearances and scored once. After a season in Spain, the Portuguese player refused to play under manager Frank Rijkaard at Barcelona. Following this, he returned to Portugal, and signed for Porto.
Early on in his Porto career, Quaresma was criticised for his greedy playing style, but by the end of his spell at the club, he became a fan favourite. He spent four seasons at Porto, winning the league on three occasions. His impressive performances earned him a move to Inter Milan.
But he failed to earn a regular spot in Jose Mourinho’s side, and was left out of Inter’s Champions League squad for the knock-out stages. This prompted Quaresma to move clubs once again. On Transfer Deadline Day in 2009, Quaresma signed on loan at Chelsea for the rest of the 2008/09 season.
Five days after completing his move to Chelsea, he made his debut in a league fixture against Hull City. He would provide an assist for Alex in a FA Cup fixture away to Coventry City, and would later make a few more Premier League fixtures.
During his brief spell at Stamford Bridge, Quaresma made a total of five appearances for the club. His last appearance for the Blues came in March 2009, as Chelsea lost 1-0 to Tottenham. He would return to Inter Milan at the end of the season.
As he returned to Milan, manager Mourinho claimed that Quaresma would be given a second chance at the club. Despite his manager’s backing, the winger only made 11 appearances in Serie A during the season, and left for Besiktas permanently in the summer of 2010.
His spell in Turkey was a lot more successful for him. Appearing more frequently, he made 46 league appearances across two seasons for the club, scoring eight goals in the process.
A spell at Al-Ahli then followed, and Quaresma helped the side win the UAE President’s Cup, and scored three times for the club.
After spending a season in the United Arab Emirates, Quaresma then returned to Porto, where he was a fan favourite. During his 18 months back at the club, he scored ten goals in 42 league appearances.
His next move would be a move back to a former club, as Quaresma rejoined Turkish side Besiktas. Since returning to the side, he has helped them win two Super Lig titles. He remains a key player at the club.
Five appearances in a few months at Chelsea for Quaresma. A truly forgettable loanee, which is just one of many. What forgettable player will Chelsea sign on loan next?
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