Carvalho itching to prove his worth at CSKA

Daniel Carvalho told uefa.com he has returned to PFC CSKA Moskva "with a clear head" and is ready to replicate the form that marked his first spell in Russia under new coach Zico following a five-month period on loan back in Brazil.

Diminishing returns
The 25-year-old midfielder joined CSKA from SC Internacional in 2004, helping the Army Men win a domestic double and the UEFA Cup in 2005. His form tailed off in subsequent seasons, however with matters coming to a head last year as he was loaned back to his old club. Newly invigorated, the man capped three times by Brazil insists the time has come for him to shine in Moscow once more.

Homesick player
"I'd been in Russia for quite a long time and was losing motivation," Carvalho told uefa.com as he set of for Israel with CSKA for a pre-season training camp. "Besides, my son had been born back in Brazil, so I needed to change my surroundings and spend some time in my homeland. The loan spell was very useful for me, not professionally but personally.

Comeback determination
"I needed to take a breather and to relax mentally so I could return to CSKA with a clear head and become what I was before again," added the gifted No7. "I could have extended my loan for another year but didn't want to. I have to prove I can play like I did before and help the club. I'm ready to really enjoy playing for CSKA for several more years."

Coaching change
The biggest change since Carvalho was last in Moscow is the departure of coach Valeri Gazzaev, the man who signed him, but he is perfectly happy with the appointment of compatriot Zico as his replacement. "One great coach left the club but another has taken his place. Men will come and go but the club lives on," the 2005 Russian Footballer of the Year said, adding: "I met Zico in Brazil and he asked me if I wanted to play for CSKA. I assured him that I was striving to return to the club."

Spring ambitions
Carvalho will look to prove his commitment in 2009, with the domestic season and a UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie against Aston Villa FC. Then it is the UEFA Champions League in the summer. "I want to win the UEFA Cup and Russian league again with CSKA and make it as far as possible in Champions League," he said. "We have a terrific squad, a quality coach and every chance of repeating our successes of 2005. Nobody believed that we'd prevail in the final against Sporting but we won convincingly. Nothing is impossible. Villa are doing very well in the Premier League. They are solid and capable of giving us a tough times, but we can beat anybody on our day."