Signed for £9 million following impressive form for Hamburg SV, the Dutch defender's ability to play anywhere across the field was lauded by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as giving him a huge variety of tactical options. What Mourinho might have neglected was the fact that while Boulahrouz could indeed play in just about any defensive position, that didn't mean he could play in them very well. His baffling choice to play in the No.9 shirt, recently vacated by Hernan Crespo (another disappointing Chelsea striker), seemed an apt representation of a player who didn't quite seem to understand the nuances of his position. His reputation as a hardman defender which had earnt him the nickname 'The Cannibal' (because he eats strikers for breakfast, you see) was soon revealed as an expression of his rashness and ability to get himself sent off at the worst possible times, such during a draw away to rivals Arsenal (see image). His already disappointing season faded after picking up a shoulder injury during which time even midfielder Michael Essien was chosen ahead of him in the centre of defence. Following a season where he never settled on a single position or found any sort of form, The Cannibal was sent packing to Sevilla on loan. The Spanish side ultimately declined to pick him up permanently and he finally returned to Germany with Stuttgart at a significant loss for the Blues in 2008. Given recklessness has never been a character trait manager Jose Mourinho has looked kindly upon, the reasons for Chelsea picking up Boulahrouz in the first place, especially at such an inflated price, are rather difficult to discern. Boulahrouz's much-vaunted versatility ultimately ended up working against him, but not half as much as his complete lack of composure.
28-year old English writer with a borderline obsessive passion for films, videogames, Chelsea FC, incomprehensible words and indefensible puns. Follow me on Twitter if you like infrequent outbursts of absolute drivel.
