Robinho has revealed how his transfer to Chelsea from Real Madrid collapsed back in 2008, citing bad relations between the two clubs.
After impressing with Brazilian side Santos early in his career, Robinho earned admiring glances from throughout Europe. Real Madrid eventually won the race for his signature, signing him in 2005.
The Brazil international impressed at the Bernabeu but was eventually deemed surplus to requirements, and was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea under former Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
But Robinho himself has explained why the move ‘failed’, and why he joined Manchester City on a hectic summer 2008 deadline day instead.
“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!”