Revealed: John Terry was eager for Ronaldinho to join Chelsea in 2007 but only on one condition
In the summer of 2007 following a trophyless season at Barcelona, Ronaldinho was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea.
According to reports, Chelsea met his brother and agent to discuss a move for the Brazilian forward.
Chelsea captain John Terry was happy for the Brazilian to join Chelsea but only on one condition which was the Brazilian must learn how to track back.
“It was exciting seeing the link with him and it would be a great acquisition to get a player of that ability in,” Terry told The Guardian.
“I’ve played against him, seen what he’s all about, and he’s such a difficult player to mark. He’d give us an option if he does come and it would be great for the Premiership to have a player like Ronaldinho here.
“He was close to going to Manchester United a few years ago but, for me personally and for everyone at Chelsea, it would be great to have him with us.
“I’d like to think he could fit into the team, though he’d have to learn about the defensive duties expected of everyone. We’ve got wide men going forward but they’ve got defensive responsibilities as well. We’ve seen at times that Jose Mourinho has taken Shaun Wright-Phillips or Joe Cole off because they’ve not been doing their bit at the back.
“It takes players a month or so to learn that you have to track back and, if you don’t, then you come off. Once you’ve realised that it’s about a team and defending as well, you can attack as well and he can give us something that not many in the world can give us. I suppose if he’s doing what he’s so good at going forward, then perhaps the manager will let him off a little bit at the back, but we’d have to see.”