Quaresma insists he has nothing to prove

RICARDO QUARESMA insists he has nothing to prove to Jose Mourinho after quitting Inter Milan for a loan spell with Chelsea.

The Portugal international was officially unveiled by the Blues at their Cobham training ground yesterday and the winger was adamant there was no ill-feeling towards the former Chelsea coach.

Quaresma was one of Mourinho’s major signings in the summer but he has struggled to shine after leaving Porto in a £20m (€22.8m) deal.

Mourinho axed the winger from Inter’s Champions League squad for the forthcoming knockout stage of the competition — sparking Chelsea’s move to bring him to Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the season.

Quaresma’s difficult time at Inter was underlined two months ago when he was named Serie A’s worst player in a vote held by popular radio show Catersport on Italian station Rai’s Radio2.

The ‘Bidone d’Oro’ is a joke award given out to a player with a big reputation but who has failed to deliver. Quaresma was even jeered by his own fans during Inter’s recent 1-1 draw with Torino.

He is adamant, however, that he has nothing to prove to Mourinho — or anyone else.

“I don’t regret going to Milan as sometimes things happen that you can’t really control,” admitted Quaresma. “These things happen in football.

“Players can’t really prove anything, if they don’t have the opportunity to show what they can do.

“Mr Scolari gives you lots of confidence so I am confident I will give my best for Chelsea. I want to show Chelsea my appreciation and joy on the pitch.

“Each coach has their own ideas and we have to respect that. I don’t think I have to prove anything to anybody.

“You get criticism everywhere, some people like you, some don’t — that is natural in football and life.

“I don’t care about that. What I care about is working hard and helping Chelsea achieve their goals.’’

Quaresma will remain with Chelsea until the end of the season but the winger is unsure as to whether his spell could lead to a permanent deal in the summer.

“At the moment I am a Chelsea player,” said Quaresma. “I signed a very short contract and I am going to show my best qualities.”

Chelsea have dropped 14 points at home this season and cannot afford another calamity at Stamford Bridge, although they go into the game against Hull without Petr Cech.

The Czech Republic goalkeeper collected a back injury against Liverpool last weekend and will be replaced by Hilario. Cech is also likely to miss his country’s friendly international against Morocco next week.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari confirmed: “In the game against Liverpool some player kicked him in the back. He completed the game, but felt a lot of pain and it is impossible for him to play tomorrow and, I think, with the national team on Wednesday.

“I believe in Hilario because he is a very good goalkeeper. It is not a problem for us.”