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After much frenzied transfer activity in previous seasons, Chelsea's
perilous financial situation ensured that Enrique De Lucas was the only
new recruit of the summer of 2002. Originally announced as a
free-transfer capture, the Spanish under-21 international, who was out
of contract at Espanyol prior to joining the Blues, arrived with a
moderate reputation, and it was one which he failed to build upon during
his year in London.
His debut came on the opening day of the 2002/03
season as Chelsea overturned a 2-0 deficit to beat Charlton 3-2 at the
Valley, and 'Quique' was involved in the incident which would prove to
be the turning-point of the match, as Charlton's Paul Konchesky was
dismissed in the first-half for clattering dangerously into the young
Spaniard in an aerial challenge. The bustling midfielder, who operated
either in the middle or wide on the right, was initially impressive -
his performance against Manchester United in the Blues' first home match
of the season was particularly eye-catching - but before long he was
out of the side, his profligacy in front of goal and a penchant for
picking up needless bookings counting against him.
A neat lob in a UEFA
Cup tie against Norwegian side Viking Stavanger proved to be his only
strike for the club, and as Chelsea's impressive season climaxed in
unexpected Champions League qualification, De Lucas was little more than
a fringe player, eventually making 17 starts and 8 substitute
appearances in the Premiership. When he first joined Chelsea the Spanish
club Alaves made a claim that De Lucas was, in fact, contracted to
them. Chelsea refuted this and claimed the player to be their own, but a
year to the day that he moved to Stamford Bridge the midfielder joined
Alaves which, according to an official statement from the Londoners, was
in line with his 12-month loan agreement! Confused? You will be! (Kelvin Barker)
1996–1999 Espanyol B 67 (25)
1998–2002 Espanyol 92 (16)
2001 Paris Saint-Germain (loan) 4 (0)
2002–2003 Chelsea 25 (0)
2003–2007 Alavés 127 (19)
2007–2009 Murcia 57 (7)
2009–2010 Cartagena 38 (11)
2010–2013 Celta 98 (21)
2013–2014 Hércules 24 (4)
2015 Biggleswade United
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