Old friends help Bosingwa

New boy reflects on native connection

By Shaun Moseley   Last updated: 6th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Old friends help Bosingwa

Bosingwa: Feeling at home

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Chelsea right-back Jose Bosingwa has spoken on how familiar faces helped him to quickly acclimatise to his new surroundings.

Whilst no club can be certain of how an overseas import will settle, in Bosingwa's case matters were helped by two particular old faces.

"It is always easier to go to a club where you have people that you know so I was very pleased when I heard that Mr Scolari would be the manager and Deco would be my team-mate," Bosingwa told the club's official website.

"It was much, much easier to come here and know there were other Portuguese players who have played here for about three or four years. They make it easier for you. They know where everything is, they know how things stand, they know the club."

He also admits his English is fast improving as Scolari insists the local language is used throughout training.

Fortune

Bosingwa is also aware of his fortune in not having to change his style as his new manager clearly shares similar thoughts on how a full-back should play.

"From the very beginning at Chelsea, he [Scolari] told me I was going to be the very same player I had been at Porto and with the Portugal national team.

'That is my identity and style and if I didn't play that way, it wouldn't be me. I am very happy that I am able to be myself and play the way I am, and that is how it is always going to be from now on."

Bosingwa is aiming to make the most of the enforced break from club training due to international duty to hone his understanding with the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Deco.

International break
"It is great to play alongside Deco. He is a very intelligent player and in technical quality, he is above the average player and being that way, he helps the rest of the team to have better quality," says Bosingwa.

"When we play together, it is easy to play with him. On the pitch we communicate well and it is really great to have him in the team because although Chelsea has great quality, with Deco in the team, we have even more.

"I love Porto but it is surprising, I am enjoying London very much."