CARLO CUDICINI Biography - Theater, Opera and Movie personalities

 
 

Biography » theater opera and movie personalities » carlo cudicini

CARLO CUDICINI
       

Carlo Cudicini (born September 6, 1973 in Milan) is an Italian football (soccer) goalkeeper. He currently plays for Chelsea F.C., and is in competition for a first team place with Petr Cech.

       

Cudicini’s father, Fabio Cudicini, was a legend at A.C. Milan and Italy, and Cudicini found it hard to follow in his footsteps. Cudicini’s career only took off when he left for England to play for Chelsea. Cudicini’s clubs have included A.C. Milan (1991-95), Como (on loan, 1993/94) Prato (1995-96), Lazio (1996-97), Castel di Sangro (1997-99), and Chelsea (1999-).

       

Cudicini has been capped for Italy at Under-18 and Under-21 level, although he has not played competitively for the full national team. Cudicini has picked up winners’ medals for the FA Cup victory in 2000 (although he did not play in the match) and the Charity Shield of 2003.

       

Cudicini ended speculation that he was looking to return to Italy when he signed an extension to his current deal in February 2006. He is now contracted to Chelsea until the summer of 2009.

       

Cudicini was recognised as the best goalkeeper in the English Premier League in season 2002/2003, when he was voted as the goalkeeper in the Team of the Season as chosen by his fellow professionals in the Professional Footballers Association. His cause was helped by a game against Liverpool in December 2002, which Chelsea won 1-0, during which he kept out an excellent shot from Steven Gerrard and a penalty taken by Gary McAllister. Incidentally, Chelsea would beat Liverpool to 4th place in the league that season, thus taking the final qualifying berth for the UEFA Champions League.

       

Even today, he is often considered the most valuable back-up goalkeeper in the Premiership, and would be first choice at many other Premiership teams. However, Cudicini has stated that he is quite comfortable at Chelsea at present, and hopes to help the team capture its first ever Champions League title.

       

Cudicini looks to have little hope of ever recapturing his regualar starting spot at Chelsea and appears set to end his career playing second-fiddle to Cech.