Jose Mourinho has admitted
the absence of Ricardo Carvalho is a big blow to Chelsea's chances
of reaching the UEFA Champions League final.
Carvalho has been a key figure for The Blues this term, as he has
stood tall during spells when Petr Cech, John Terry and Michael
Essien have been absent.
However, the Portuguese stopper will sit out the second leg of
their Champions League semi-final with Liverpool after damaging a
knee on Saturday.
Chelsea head to Anfield protecting a 1-0 lead, but Mourinho feels
their task has been made more difficult by the loss of
Carvalho.
"Carvalho has been our best defender for the whole season,"
Mourinho said in the Daily Star. "He has been brilliant in every
game.
"He has had to deal with no Petr Cech behind him for part of the
season, and the same with John Terry alongside him and Michael
Essien in front of him.
"He has been our pillar, our tower of strength.
"We will miss him and for him not to be available is a big
blow."
Andrei Shevchenko is another player unavailable to Mourinho and
reports in sections of the press on Tuesday claim the Ukraine star
made himself unavailable after being informed he would not be
starting.
The official line from Chelsea is Shevchenko is carrying a groin
complaint, but speculation suggests he is smarting after being told
he would be warming the bench at Anfield.
