Ricardo Carvalho

Ricardo Carvalho hopes that Sunday's Carling Cup final against Tottenham will be the catalyst for a glittering end to the season for Chelsea.

The Blues are still competing on four fronts entering the business end of the season and could yet claim a historic quadruple.

Having claimed the first trophy of the season twice in the last three years, Carvalho believes that success in this weekend's Wembley showpiece could help to launch the club towards further triumphs at home and abroad.

"It is important because it's the first cup of the season and if you win that you have a little more confidence for the run-in," he said.

"It is always important to win titles, if you can get one in February it is very good.

"Of course if you don't win you have to win the next one, the FA Cup, or reach the top of the league, and then the Champions League, but it would be great to get one in our pocket early.

"They will make it tough for us but everyone is fit and wants to play. We are stronger so we have to show it and take the cup."

Carvalho is also determined to break Chelsea's duck in the Champions League this season, adding: "I won it with Porto and it would be great to win it again.

"For me, it would be great, two Champions Leagues, and there is a spirit in the squad to win.

"I want to just keep winning. The Champions League is the best one, for the club it is the best one to win, and it is a great experience for the players also."

John Terry is likely to lead the Blues' quest for glory after recently returning from injury and while being delighted at being able to welcome the skipper back into the fold, Carvalho admits that Terry's qualities on the pitch differ to those of his other defensive partners.

"JT is the skipper and talks more than Alex, but Alex speaks Portuguese so we talk in Portuguese, that's no problem," he said.

"JT shouts a little more, but we have our way to play. Alex is quieter, and I am too. But JT? No.

"He is the captain and has to lead the team. Tal (Ben Haim) likes to speak also, he is between the three of us, he likes to speak and shout, not like JT, but more than us."