Willian recalls the moment he decided to choose Chelsea over Tottenham
It’s more than 13 years since Willian completed one of the most famous transfer stunts and snubbed Tottenham at the last minute to join Chelsea – and now he’s shared the moment he made the decision.
Russian side Anzhi had come into financial difficulty, and Chelsea looked to take advantage. Not only did Chelsea sign the Brazilian attacker, but they also landed Samuel Eto’o only a few days later from Anzhi.
However, it looked as if Willian was set for a move to North London. The Brazilian even turned up at Tottenham’s training ground ahead of doing a medical, but as everyone knows, Willian chose Chelsea.
Willian shares the moment he knew he wanted to join Chelsea
Willian, who was last playing for Brazilian side Gremio, has now played for three London clubs. Two spells at Fulham, one at Arsenal, and of course, the club where he’s played most of his football, Chelsea.
Which former Chelsea player would you add to the current team, and why? 🤔
You can choose anyone!
The 38-year-old has often spoken of the decision to pull out of a move to Spurs, and sign for Chelsea in a £30m deal. Now, on the Obi One podcast, Willian told John Obi Mikel the moment he changed his mind.
“I wake up in the morning, I say to myself: ‘No, I don’t want to go there.’” to which Mikel exclaimed, “No!” Willian continued: “I respect the club, I respect them [Spurs] a lot. But it was the best choice of my life.
Willian’s Chelsea numbers: The Brazilian’s magical seven years
Between 2013 and 2020, Willian would go on to play a whopping 339 times for the Blues. During that time, he scored an impressive 63 goals, laying on another 58 assists. A total of 121 goal involvements.
He would win the 2014-15 Premier League, and then hold the trophy aloft again two years later. He also won the FA Cup, the League Cup and then the Europa League trophy, with Maurizio Sarri in the dugout.
As far as modern-day legends go at Stamford Bridge, given the turnover of players and the lack of longevity these days, Willian is a Chelsea legend. Especially, because he turned Spurs down for the Blues.
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