Posted June 9, 201014 yr I know it is mentioned elsewhere in another topic but thought he deserved his own. Wish him well, thought he done well for us. Juliano Belletti joins Joe Cole and Michael Ballack as players leaving the club when current contracts run out at the end of this month. Signed as an attacking right-back by Jose Mourinho in August 2007, for the second and third of his three years at Chelsea Belletti was more likely to be seen in midfield. He made that positional change under the management of Luiz Felipe Scolari who remembered the player's aptitude for the role from their days back in Brazil. Belletti arrived at Stamford Bridge for an undisclosed fee with a World Cup winners' medal and a winning goal in a Champions League Final to his name. He was one of several to have made the move between Barcelona and Chelsea in the past two decades. Mourinho lasted only a matter of weeks into Belletti's stay, but the player quickly demonstrated his abilities during his first season in England with two stunning Premier League strikes - against Wigan and Tottenham - the latter of which won the Chelsea Goal of the Season award for 2007/08. He faced tough competition from Paulo Ferreira and later Michael Essien to make the right-back berth his own that year but a total of 38 (six as sub) appearances suggest he was the favoured choice, particularly at Stamford Bridge. It was as a sub that Belletti made his mark in the Champions League Final, replacing Claude Makelele in the last minute of extra time, before coolly slotting home a penalty in the shootout, his first touch, only to see the side lose out. The arrival of Jose Bosingwa during the summer that followed saw Belletti, who was turning 32, lose his status as the choice when an attack-minded right-back was needed and he remained in England with the reserves when the first-team embarked on pre-season tour. However within weeks of the start of the 2008/09 campaign he was asked to play holding midfielder against Tottenham and cemented his popularity by scoring against big local rivals for a second season running, earning his own White-Stripes-inspired song. He also played as an attack-minded right midfielder in a season that yielded 9 starts plus 25 sub appearances and three goals, including one in a last-gasp turnaround against Stoke at home. Last season's 13+9 games were a mix of right-back and midfield appearances. He started the big home wins over Blackburn, Wolves and Sunderland but unfortunately his last significant act was conceding a Cup Final penalty at Wembley. Happily Petr Cech negated its impact. He leaves the club with FA Cup and Premier League winners' medals. A thoughtful and popular figure, Chelsea Football Club would like to thank Juliano for his contribution. He played 54+40 games and scored five goals. http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2067357,00.html
June 9, 201014 yr He did what was asked of him and never complained about not playing. I'm glad he got the winner's medals this season so he could end his career on a high.
June 9, 201014 yr Will always be remembered for the screamers and hist late goal against Stoke, which was one of the most emotional moments in that season. At one time during Grant I thought we had finally found our RB in him. Not quite, as it turned out, but he has come across as a model professional. Best of luck to him wherever that may be.
June 9, 201014 yr Good luck in the future Bell! Good servant to the club! On a side note I'm glad we are not giving away 'free' contracts. A'ka: 'Here's your new contract Juliano. Enjoy Chelsea. You will not play but enjoy the money. Okay maybe one sub appearance in the Carling cup'. Maybe this is the Gourlay way. Like it so far...
June 9, 201014 yr Has anything been said about his future? Hope he heads back to Brazil, would hate to see some Premier League side snatch him up. Anyways, always seemed like a good guy, some screamers of goals and his penalty in Moscow was class, considering he had just come off the bench (ahem, Nico....)
June 9, 201014 yr Always tried really hard and gave his all, good luck Belletti. Along with Joey and Ballack though, that must be £250,000 a week saved in wages!
June 9, 201014 yr Will always remember the screamer against Tottenham and the goal in the dying minutes against Stoke. Thanks for the memories Juliano.
June 9, 201014 yr http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a19R8aMaVU0 Loved it! Edited June 9, 201014 yr by Epic
June 9, 201014 yr Will always be remembered for the screamers and hist late goal against Stoke, which was one of the most emotional moments in that season. God that was a brilliant game. I remember screaming and smashing everything on my coffee table when Frank got the winner. Good luck and god bless to Belletti (or julio haus BELLETTTTTIIIIII as I would always say his name), I will remember him fondly as I will remember the likes of Tiago or Geremi
June 9, 201014 yr God that was a brilliant game. I remember screaming and smashing everything on my coffee table when Frank got the winner. Good luck and god bless to Belletti (or julio haus BELLETTTTTIIIIII as I would always say his name), I will remember him fondly as I will remember the likes of Tiago or Geremi thanks julianna allt the best for the future SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!
June 9, 201014 yr Loved it! Gotta love goals like that. Especially when they're scored against Spurs. Just noticed that only two out of the seven Chelsea players that can be seen celebrating that goal will be at the club next season.
June 9, 201014 yr That was the sole reason I liked him. What beautiful goals. When Mikel trys that, they miss by 18 miles.
June 9, 201014 yr i remember my amazement and disappointment when belletti singed for us. since then i've been forced to happily admit that i was wrong. he actually turned out to be a very good signing. he's been a model professional, filling in whenever necessary, almost always doing a very good job no matter where he was asked to play, and producing a number of highly memorable moments. good luck juliano and thanks for everything.
June 9, 201014 yr A good player. I will miss him. My favourite Belletti goal was the one that he scored against Wigan, when he ran from the halfway line to score to make it 2-0. Just watched the goal again on You Tube. Brilliant goal.
June 9, 201014 yr He did what was asked of him and never complained about not playing. I'm glad he got the winner's medals this season so he could end his career on a high. My thought exactly. Good luck Juliano!
June 10, 201014 yr Fine player, an excellent attitude and some great goals. Scored against the Arse in the Champions League final a few years back too. Cheers Senhor Belletti.
