Chelsea supporters may not have much confidence in Henrique Hilario, but it seems their feelings are not shared by Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.
And, when it comes to being popular, it is a safe assumption Hilario would prefer to have the backing of his national team manager than the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Not least because there is a World Cup coming up in June, when Hilario expects to be part of Queiroz's squad competing in South Africa. And the trophy is not the only thing at stake for Hilario.
He knows he could find himself in the most viewed shop-window of all time and that a string of good performances will not only win over some of his doubters, but probably secure him a multi-million pound move to a new club to end his misery in the Premier League.
No footballer would ever want to hear themselves described as 'not as bad as people think he is' or a 'weak link' or, worse still, 'a total liability.'
Yet these are just some of the descriptions attributed to the former Porto and Nacional keeper of late due to his faltering form for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Yet he kept a clean sheet in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Stoke City and many a goalkeeper has perished against Tony Pulis's side this season.
Ridicule appears to follow him like a shadow, however, with there being a genuine disparity between his performances on the pitch and the criticism he receives off it.
Yet it seems Hilario has support in high places, just when he needs it. He remains in a fierce battle with three rivals to claim the back-up goalkeeping place to Eduardo in Queiroz's final squad.
Rui Patricio, Jose Moreira, Daniel Fernandes and Beto will also fancy their chances, but it seems Hilario remains at the forefront of Queiroz's thoughts after winning his first international cap in their 2-0 victory over China in an international friendly.
He played the second half of the game, kept a clean sheet and remains second in line. Queiroz said: "He has done well considering he hasn't always been first choice with his club. But he has experience and this counts for a lot."
Chelsea's first team coach Ray Wilkins added: "Supporters nowadays will always have a pop at the errors and as a goalkeeper, when you make a mistake you've lost a goal. But Hilario is experienced enough to come through all that."
And, when it comes to being popular, it is a safe assumption Hilario would prefer to have the backing of his national team manager than the Stamford Bridge faithful.
Not least because there is a World Cup coming up in June, when Hilario expects to be part of Queiroz's squad competing in South Africa. And the trophy is not the only thing at stake for Hilario.
He knows he could find himself in the most viewed shop-window of all time and that a string of good performances will not only win over some of his doubters, but probably secure him a multi-million pound move to a new club to end his misery in the Premier League.
No footballer would ever want to hear themselves described as 'not as bad as people think he is' or a 'weak link' or, worse still, 'a total liability.'
Yet these are just some of the descriptions attributed to the former Porto and Nacional keeper of late due to his faltering form for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Yet he kept a clean sheet in Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Stoke City and many a goalkeeper has perished against Tony Pulis's side this season.
Ridicule appears to follow him like a shadow, however, with there being a genuine disparity between his performances on the pitch and the criticism he receives off it.
Yet it seems Hilario has support in high places, just when he needs it. He remains in a fierce battle with three rivals to claim the back-up goalkeeping place to Eduardo in Queiroz's final squad.
Rui Patricio, Jose Moreira, Daniel Fernandes and Beto will also fancy their chances, but it seems Hilario remains at the forefront of Queiroz's thoughts after winning his first international cap in their 2-0 victory over China in an international friendly.
He played the second half of the game, kept a clean sheet and remains second in line. Queiroz said: "He has done well considering he hasn't always been first choice with his club. But he has experience and this counts for a lot."
Chelsea's first team coach Ray Wilkins added: "Supporters nowadays will always have a pop at the errors and as a goalkeeper, when you make a mistake you've lost a goal. But Hilario is experienced enough to come through all that."
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