Being a die hard Arsenal fan I don’t notice much about the background staff at other soccer clubs.  One exception to this rule would be the team doctor over the west side of London at Chelsea FC, namely Eva Carneiro.  Why you ask?  Well I might be an Arsenal fan through and through but there is still blood running through these veins!

Born to British and Spanish parentage, Eva qualified in medicine from Nottingham University going on to work in accident and emergency in Scotland and Australia.  It was in Oz that she went down the route of sports physician and upon returning to the UK she headed to London where she received her MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Eva went on to work at the British Olympic Medical Institute and with England Women’s Football and United Kingdom Athletics.  She joined Chelsea as first team doctor in 2009 and is now the first team doctor.

On her career Eva says

I have wanted to train in Sports Medicine for a long, long time and even relocated to Australia in an attempt to do so! It is great to have the opportunity to specialise in this country. It will be fantastic to offer athletes and exercising individuals of all ages the opportunity for appropriate investigation and management

I am sure I am not the only one to notice Eva on the bench at the Chelsea games, it’s great to see more women rise to the top.  When you think of the money Chelsea have, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that they can afford to have the very best people in all positions at the club, so it’s a great testament to Eva’s abilities that she is such a valued member of the team.

So what do you think?  Álainn or Appallin’?