Former Real Madrid forward Robinho has revealed the club scuppered his hopes of joining Chelsea in 2008.
Having scored 35 goals across 135 appearances for Madrid between 2005 and 2008, the Brazilian joined Manchester City but a move by Chelsea, then managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, was allegedly scuppered due to a strained relationship between the clubs.
“My main goal was to move to Chelsea,” he told FourFourTwo. “Big Phil had said I could make the difference for him as his squad, according to him, was not creative enough.
“But Real Madrid had fallen out with Chelsea – they didn’t like them selling shirts with my name on before the deal had been done.
“I am pretty sure that this error was one of the main reasons why the transfer failed, as it was a matter of pride for Real Madrid.
“And they were also reluctant to let me move to a club that was playing in the Champions League the same season – Chelsea were, but City weren’t.
“I moved to a great club and they welcomed me in the best way. I had one-and-a-half years of joy in Manchester, despite the city being a lot colder than Madrid!”
