Roberto Carlos Reveals He Was 'Very Close' to Signing for Chelsea in 2007
By Lee Bushe
Roberto Carlos has revealed that he was "very close" to joining Chelsea following the expiry of his Real Madrid contract in 2007, stating that the move had been "agreed" but didn't "work out".
The Brazilian full-back had announced that he would be leaving Real Madrid in 2007 following a trophy-laden 11 years at the Bernabeu, with both Chelsea and Fenerbahçe interested in snapping up the free agent. A move to Stamford Bridge fell through however, and Roberto Carlos joined Fener, where he spent two and a half-seasons before returning to Brazil with Corinthians in 2010.
Speaking to Goal, Roberto Carlos stated: "I had two proposals, Fenerbahçe and Chelsea. Chelsea didn't work out, so I signed for Fenerbahçe.
"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 Fenerbahçe 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."
Considered to be one of the greatest left-backs of all time, Roberto Carlos was a legend for club and country. He enjoyed success with Palmeiras in his native Brazil before earning a move to Europe with Internazionale, where he failed to make an impression. El Hombre Bala joined Real Madrid after just one season in Italy, and went on to spend over a decade with the club, helping them to win four league titles and four Champions Leagues.
After subsequent spells with Fenerbahçe and Corinthians, Roberto Carlos ended his career with a stints in Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala and a stint in India with Delhi Dynamos, who he also managed.
The most notable achievement of his career, however, was helping Brazil to win the World Cup in 2002, a competition they have failed to win since.