New deal for Blues’ Carvalho

PORTUGAL international Ricardo Carvalho has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea.

The centre-half agreed the deal yesterday on his 29th birthday, and it will come as welcome news after being ruled out of today’s FA Cup Final at Wembley with a knee injury.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon said: “We are delighted Riccy has committed himself to us for the next five years. He has been a key player for us since he joined and has been in fantastic form this season. Without doubt he is one of the best central defenders in the world.”