Carvalho Welcomes New Chelsea Signings Ricardo Carvalho says Chelsea needed new faces in January

Chelsea have added to their already strong squad with the signings of Nicolas Anelka from Bolton Wanderers and defender Branislav Ivanovic from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Speaking about the new recruits, Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho acknowledged that the Blues perhaps needed a few fresh faces, and that manager Avram Grant and the board had made excellent choices.

"We needed some players to come in; they are good players as well," said Carvalho.

"I know Anelka very well because he has been playing here in England and he's a great striker and the defender, Ivanovic, is a great defender. He is young and I think it is important for him to come here as well.

"He can learn from playing in one of the best leagues in the world and also it is important for us because we have four players missing through the African Cup and there are some injured players as well."