Ramires has put pen to paper on a questionable move to Chinese Super Club Jiangsu Suning, ending a memorable five and half year stay in West London. Here are five of his greatest moments in a Chelsea shirt:
5) 2011-2012 Players’ Player of the Year
Ramires had been on the fringes of the Chelsea squad for his first season in England, but the infamous 2011-2012 campaign was arguably the Brazilian’s best in a Chelsea shirt. ‘Rambo’ had narrowly missed out of the Player of the Year award to Juan Mata, but was rewarded for an inspiring season in which he netted 12 goals in 47 games with the Player’s Player of the Year award. The Brazilian missed out on the Champions League final, but helped his side through the competition with important goals against Valencia and Barcelona, whilst also netting in the FA Cup Semi-Final and Final.
4) The assist
The midfielder was instrumental in Chelsea’s Champions League winning season; his opening goal in the Blues’ final group game against Valencia eased the pressure of an almost defeated Andre Villas Boas, and helped see his side through to the knockout stages. Chelsea drew Barcelona in the Semi-Finals of the competition and, despite sitting on the back foot for most of the game at Stamford Bridge, Ramires was put through by Frank Lampard in first half injury time. The Brazilian burst through and unselfishly squared the ball to Didier Drogba, who provided Chelsea’s winning goal on the night.
3) The big-game player – FA Cup Final
Having scored one of the five goals that humiliated Spurs in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup in the 2011-2012 season, Ramires was at it again on the 5th of May at Wembley. The FA Cup would be one of two trophies Chelsea would finish the season with, despite one of their worst league finishes in years. In the 10th minute, Ramires was given the ball in his unorthodox right-wing position before knocking the ball past Jose Enrique, sprinting at god knows what speed and driving the ball into the near corner – trademark Ray Mears.
2) The moment he turned Brazilian
I remember watching this one down my end of Stamford Bridge and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing – Ramires dribbling successfully with the ball past players! This was a brilliant goal in all aspects. Receiving the ball about 25-yards out and with his back to goal, the Brazilian turned, shifted past Lescott, sold Kolarov with a dummy, ran into the box and guided the ball into the top corner – one where I can definitely say ‘I was there!’
1) The one I still can’t believe
No prizes for guessing which moment falls at number one; the goal that was cement Ramires’ place in Chelsea history. The goal that felt like we’d lifted the Champions League trophy before we had even made the final. Perhaps one of the greatest nights in the Football Club’s history. Away from home, 2-0 and one man down to the best team in Europe at the time, Chelsea fans were probably considering whether to flick over to catch the end of Eastenders. But no. Ramires had other ideas for the night, latching on to a Lampard through ball minutes before the end of the first half. At this point I was thinking, ‘could this not have fallen to literally anybody else on the team’, but I was made to eat my words. With barely a second to think about it, Ramires lobbed the ball over an on-rushing Victor Valdes and sent Chelsea fans wild. What a time it was. The goal also earned the Brazilian the Chelsea ‘Goal of the Year’ award, which capped a memorable year in Chelsea blue.
So long Rambo, it’s been a great few years!
