Ricardo Quaresma Prepares for Chelsea Debut as Petr Cech Pulls Out

Luiz Felipe Scolari could hand Ricardo Quaresma his Chelsea debut against Hull City at Stamford Bridge tomorrow afternoon.

The Portuguese star—who is loan from Inter Milan until the end of the season—was signed by the club on transfer deadline day on Monday.

Scolari and Quaresma know each other well. Scolari was Portugal manager from 2003-2008 and gave the winger his international debut.

“He is a player that has a different style than the other wingers, he is a man that sometimes dribbles more than the other players that we have here,” said Scolari.

“That is the characteristic of Quaresma and in our team now, I think it is important we have one player with this characteristic.”

The Brazilian also admitted that the move came as something of a surprise.

“It really was a surprise because he moved from Porto to Inter this season, but when I heard it is possible to loan him I was very happy and asked the board to try, and they gave me the player that I want.

“On Monday morning I spent three or four hours on the telephone, I spoke to the player, because many clubs wanted him, and I tried to say to Peter Kenyon that it is important for me to get this player, because I lost Joe and we sold Wright-Phillips. We are trying to build Miroslav Stoch but he is young and needs more time, so it is very good news.”

But one player who will not be making an appearance tomorrow is goalkeeper Petr Cech. The Czech stopper picked up an injury during last week's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield and will miss out against Phil Brown’s men.

“In the game against Liverpool some player kicked him in the back, he completed the game, but after this he feels a lot of pain and it is impossible to play tomorrow, and I think with the national team on Wednesday,” Scolari explained.

Chelsea’s boss isn’t too concerned about his absence. “I believe in Hilario because he is a very good goalkeeper, it is not a problem for us. I have a good squad and I believe in all the players, so it is not a problem.”

Ricardo Carvalho will also miss out, alongside long-term absentees Michael Essien and Joe Cole.