Roberto Carlos was on the verge of signing for Chelsea after 11 years at Real Madrid
Speaking to Goal (h/t Daily Mail), Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos revealed that he was close to signing for Chelsea in 2007.
The Brazilian left-back had spent 11 years at Los Galacticos and was on the lookout for a new club. He had two options; Chelsea and Turkish side Fenerbahce.
And the World Cup winner says that he initially chose Chelsea. The transfer was agreed and all he had to do was put pen to paper on the contract.
“…with Chelsea, it got very close. It was literally agreed and I just had to go there and sign the contract.”
Carlos even flew to Paris to have a meeting with Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner. However, the move did not materialise because of an issue with the lawyer. (h/t Daily Mail)
So close yet so far
He adds that he would have been a hit in the English top-flight because it suited his characteristics. But that never happened as he chose to go to Turkey after the move to Chelsea fell through.
“There was an issue with the lawyer; It was all agreed, though, and I am 100 per cent sure I would have done well in the Premier League…”
Chelsea were managed by Jose Mourinho then, who was sacked almost 3 months after the transfer fell through.
As for Carlos, he spent more than two years with Fenerbahce and returned to Brazil in 2009, where he signed with Corinthians.
Chelsea did not sign a left-back that season and Ashley Cole remained the club’s first-choice defender down that side, with Wayne Bridge below him in the pecking order.
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One can only imagine how different that season would have gone had the club signed Carlos. The club finished that season trophy-less, losing 3 finals and finishing 2nd in the league.