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 supply.
Roberto Carlos was one of many world’s main left-backsCredit score: Reuters
And it seems that Jose Mourinho, then in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, was one in all them.
The Portuguese already had Ashley Cole, who had arguably succeeded Carlos because the world’s most interesting left-back, at his disposal – however may have upgraded on deputy Wayne Bridge.
Carlos himself, now 47, has lifted the lid on simply how shut he got here to becoming a member of the Blues.
He advised Goal: “I had two proposals, Fenerbahce and Chelsea. Chelsea did not work out so I signed for Fenerbahce.
“However, with Chelsea, it bought very shut. It was actually agreed and I simply needed to go there and signal the contract.
“It was only a week earlier than I signed for Fenerbahce and I had been to Paris to fulfill each Roman Abramovich and Peter Kenyon.
I’m 100 per cent certain I’d have executed properly within the Premier League and it might have suited my traits.
Roberto Carlos
“Sadly, within the last moments one thing did not work out simply earlier than finalising, which occurs rather a lot in soccer. There was a problem with the lawyer.
“It was all agreed, although, and I’m 100 per cent certain I’d have executed properly within the Premier League and it might have suited my traits.”
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Because it occurred, Mourinho was sacked lower than three months later – whereas Carlos spent two years in Istanbul earlier than returning to Brazil with Corinthians.
Whereas he might have been within the twilight of his profession when approached by the Blues, it seems that they weren’t the primary English aspect to try to deliver him to those 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 however they could not afford the deal, after that I went to Inter.”
The long-lasting Brazilian was a key a part of the ‘Galacticos’ period in MadridCredit score: AP:Related Press
Carlos, the Selecao’s left-back of their most up-to-date World Cup triumph again in 2002, believes that one in all his compatriots is now the shining mild for all aspiring left-backs.
He mentioned: “I really feel like I used to be an instance to observe after what I achieved, identical to what Marcelo is doing now in Actual Madrid.
“Individuals will observe Marcelo simply as they adopted me.”
