Brazil legend Roberto Carlos, is hailed as one of the greatest left-backs to have played the game, and the former Real Madrid star has now revealed how he almost signed up for Chelsea.
Carlos had won four La Liga titles, three Champions Leagues and the World Cup, before becoming a free agent in the summer of 2007 – following an 11-year spell at the Bernabeu.
The deal was almost set, having met Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as well as Peter Kenyon. Carlos would eventually sign for Fenerbahce as the move broke down last minute.
“I had two proposals, Fenerbahce and Chelsea,” Carlos told Goal. “Chelsea didn’t work out so I signed for Fenerbahce. ‘But, with Chelsea, it got very close. It was literally agreed and I just had to go there and sign the contract.
“It was just a week before I signed for Fenerbahce and I had been to Paris to meet both Roman Abramovich and (former chief executive) Peter Kenyon.
“Unfortunately, in the final moments something didn’t work out just before finalising, which happens a lot in football. 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 and it would have suited my characteristics.”