Chelsea defender Alex has revealed how his father inspired him to sign a new four-year contract with the club. The Brazilian looked set to quit Stamford Bridge last summer, but remained with the Blues and put pen to paper on a new contract last month.

The centre-half had spent much of his time since the summer recovering from groin surgery, but Chelsea were keen to offer him a new contract. Alex has now regained full fitness and made starts against Bolton Wanderers at home and away at Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. He was also a late substitute in the 1-0 win over Manchester United last Sunday.

"I am very happy to stay here because I really like playing for Chelsea," said Alex. "I spoke with my father first and he said, 'it is a good club, you have to stay here more years'. Of course I am happy here so I signed the contract.

I believe I can do more for Chelsea - I have played only two games since my operation but I want to do more so I keep training hard.
Alex

"My father is very important to me. I always speak with him when I have a decision. On my first day at Chelsea he came with me and he stayed one month in London while I was living in the hotel. He came to training every day.

"I believe I can do more for Chelsea - I have played only two games since my operation but I want to do more so I keep training hard."

South African goal
Alex now wants to get as much football under his belt in order to be part of the Brazil squad that takes part in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. But his season was disrupted by a nagging groin problem, which first erupted on the club's pre-season tour of the USA.

"I started the pre-season tour in America but I was training and playing with pain always, so for me I had to ask the doctor if I could go for the operation. Now it is ok. I can do everything without pain - train, run and shoot.

"I had to make a decision to be out for three or four months so that I could do everything without pain or play on as I was before. Now I have to continue my improvement and train very well. I'm very happy to be playing again."