Carvalho in rant at boss Mourinho

Carvalho's career statistics

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has launched a stinging attack on boss Jose Mourinho for leaving him out of the starting line-up against Wigan.

Carvalho is the first senior star to break ranks under Mourinho, who is credited with creating an unrivalled team spirit, and could face a fine.

He told the Evening Standard: "I don't understand why I've been told to wait for another chance to play this season.

"I don't believe I will be third choice. It's incomprehensible."

I want to know why I didn't play. How can I explain it when I don't understand it? Ricardo Carvalho

Carvalho was a key component of Chelsea's watertight defence last season, forging a successful partnership in central defence with John Terry.

But William Gallas replaced the Portugal international in the Blues' 1-0 win at the JJB Stadium on Sunday.

And Carvalho added: "I want to know why I didn't play. How can I explain it when I don't understand it?

"Sincerely I gave a lot of thought and time to myself but cannot find a valid explanation.

It is still very early days - he will get to play From Patrick Have your say on 606

"I don't understand the reason he put me in a group including Robert Huth, Joe Cole and Tiago."

This is not Carvalho's first run-in with Mourinho - the two did not always see eye-to-eye at Porto - and he is anxious that their relationship should not deteriorate further.

"At FC Porto I didn't have an easy life with Mourinho, especially in the year he arrived," he said.

"But in time I recovered my confidence and finished in a big way. I don't want an identical situation at Chelsea."