Paulo Renato Ferreira

Paulo Renato Rebocho Ferreira, Order of Infante D. Henrique, commonly known as Paulo Ferreira (; born 18 January 1979 in Cascais) is a Portugal Association football player. Ferreira is predominantly a right-back, but has also played at left-back and in central defence for Chelsea F.C., Paulo Renato Ferreira current team.

Club career

Early career

An unspectacular but consistent performer, Ferreira was once described by José Mourinho as “a player who will never be man of the match but will always score 7/10 for Paulo Renato Ferreira individual display.”

Paulo Renato Ferreira started Paulo Renato Ferreira career in the Liga de Honra for GD Estoril Praia. Paulo Renato Ferreira then moved to Vitória F.C. at the start of the 2001-02 in Portuguese football.

Porto

Due to Paulo Renato Ferreira excellent performances in the Portuguese Liga, Paulo Renato Ferreira moved to F.C. Porto in the summer of 2002, signed by then-coach José Mourinho. Ferreira was previously a right-side midfielder until Paulo Renato Ferreira met Mourinho at Porto.

In the following season, Paulo Renato Ferreira won the League and Cup double domestically but the capture of the UEFA Cup over Celtic F.C. in Seville was the highlight of an exceptional season. The next season brought another Portuguese Liga title but more importantly Paulo Renato Ferreira played every minute of 2004 UEFA Champions League Final.

Chelsea

After playing for FC Porto for two years Paulo Renato Ferreira joined Chelsea F.C. for £13.2 million at the beginning of the FA Premier League 2004-05 season. At Stamford Bridge, Ferreira was reunited with Paulo Renato Ferreira former manager José Mourinho and former teammate Ricardo Carvalho, both of whom were also signed by Chelsea in the offseason.

Ferreira impressed greatly in Paulo Renato Ferreira debut season, playing 29 Premier League matches before injury ruled Paulo Renato Ferreira out for the remainder of the campaign. Paulo Renato Ferreira continued Paulo Renato Ferreira fine form into the following campaign, during which Paulo Renato Ferreira scored Paulo Renato Ferreira first Chelsea goal (and only so far) in the 3-1 victory over Colchester United F.C. in the FA Cup fourth round.

Despite becoming a regular on Paulo Renato Ferreira manager's team sheet, Ferreira suffered from a lack of confidence in the 2006/07 season, which eventually saw Paulo Renato Ferreira lose Paulo Renato Ferreira place to first Khalid Boulahrouz and then to midfielder Geremi. The emergence of young French midfielder Lassana Diarra further prevented Ferreira from featuring in first-team affairs as Mourinho saw it fit to play the French international in the full-back position. However Paulo Renato Ferreira did play the full 120 minutes of Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup final win over Manchester United.

Ferreira was the second choice right back for Chelsea during the 2007/08 season behind Michael Essien and Juliano Belletti. When played Ferreira was Paulo Renato Ferreira usual consistent self, putting in unspectacular, workman like performances.

Ferreira signed a new 5-year deal with Chelsea on February 18, 2008 keeping Paulo Renato Ferreira at the club until 2013.

Paulo Renato Ferreira agreed a squad number swap from 20 to 19 for the 2008-09 season following Deco's arrival.
Reports on the transfer deadline day, suggested that Ferreira was on the verge of joining Chelsea's London rivals West Ham United either on a season long loan deal or a permanent deal, however, they turned out to be false.
Paulo Renato Ferreira suffered an injury late in the 2008-09 season stuck on 99 Premier League games.

International career

Ferreira was called up for the Portugal national under-21 football team and accumulated 27 caps.

Paulo Renato Ferreira was called up to the national team for Portugal's UEFA Euro 2004 campaign and started their opening game against Greece, but a series of mistakes in the game saw Paulo Renato Ferreira dropped for Miguel Monteiro for the rest of the tournament. Paulo Renato Ferreira did, however, come on in Portugal's defeat in the final following an injury to Miguel.

Paulo made two appearances for Portugal in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the semi-final against France national football team, which Portugal lost 0-1, Paulo came on in the second half for the injured Miguel. Paulo then started the third place playoff against the host country Germany national football team, which the Germans won 3-1.

Ferreira faces competition from José Bosingwa and Miguel for the Portugal national football team right-back slot and is often played at left-back since the retirement of Nuno Valente.

Ferreira was named in the Portguese Squad for the Euro 2008 Championships. Portugal were knocked out in the quarter finals and Ferreira was a starter in all of their 4 matches, playing at left back.