Jose Mourinho has admitted the absence of Ricardo Carvalho is a big blow to Chelsea's chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League final.
Carvalho has been a key figure for The Blues this term, as he has stood tall during spells when Petr Cech, John Terry and Michael Essien have been absent.
However, the Portuguese stopper will sit out the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Liverpool after damaging a knee on Saturday.
Chelsea head to Anfield protecting a 1-0 lead, but Mourinho feels their task has been made more difficult by the loss of Carvalho.
"Carvalho has been our best defender for the whole season," Mourinho said in the Daily Star. "He has been brilliant in every game.
"He has had to deal with no Petr Cech behind him for part of the season, and the same with John Terry alongside him and Michael Essien in front of him.
"He has been our pillar, our tower of strength.
"We will miss him and for him not to be available is a big blow."
Andrei Shevchenko is another player unavailable to Mourinho and reports in sections of the press on Tuesday claim the Ukraine star made himself unavailable after being informed he would not be starting.
The official line from Chelsea is Shevchenko is carrying a groin complaint, but speculation suggests he is smarting after being told he would be warming the bench at Anfield.
was I wrong in that in the mid season that Chelsea wanted to sell him? some transfers news..
they signed sheva and ballack for the CL.
yet both were injured before the most critical match, not that they could have made any difference.
his partnership with terry is superb and his attacking sense is phenomenal for a defender.
