Brazil legend Roberto Carlos ‘agreed’ Chelsea transfer and only had to sign contract before deal collapsed
LEGENDARY full-back Roberto Carlos has revealed that he got here “very shut” to becoming a member of Chelsea in 2007.
The Brazilian icon’s glittering Real Madrid profession was coming to an finish after 527 appearances and 13 trophies – however at 34 many individuals nonetheless thought he had one thing to provide.
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And it seems that Jose Mourinho, then in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, was certainly one of them.
The Portuguese already had Ashley Cole, who had arguably succeeded Carlos because the world’s best left-back, at his disposal – however might have upgraded on deputy Wayne Bridge.
Carlos himself, now 49, has lifted the lid on simply how shut he got here to becoming a member of the Blues.
Speaking to Goal in 2020, he mentioned: “I had two proposals, Fenerbahce and Chelsea. Chelsea did not work out so I signed for Fenerbahce.
“But, with Chelsea, it obtained very shut. It was actually agreed and I simply had to go there and sign the contract.
“It was only a week before I signed for Fenerbahce and I had been to Paris to meet each Roman Abramovich and Peter Kenyon.
“Unfortunately, within the last moments one thing did not work out simply before finalising, which occurs loads in soccer. There was a difficulty with the lawyer.
“It was all agreed, although, and I’m 100 per cent certain I’d have achieved properly within the Premier League and it could have suited my traits.”
I’m 100 per cent certain I’d have achieved properly within the Premier League and it could have suited my traits.
Roberto Carlos
As it occurred, Mourinho was sacked lower than three months later – whereas Carlos spent two years in Istanbul before returning to Brazil with Corinthians.
While he could have been within the twilight of his profession when approached by the Blues, it seems that they weren’t the primary English facet to strive and carry him to these shores.
He continued: “I used to be nonetheless taking part in in Brazil with Palmeiras when Aston Villa got here in for me in 1995.
“But they could not afford the deal, after that I went to Inter.”
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