Chelsea ace Willian has commented on his failed move to Tottenham in 2013.
Chelsea playmaker Willian has told the club’s YouTube channel that it was difficult to reject Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2013, but it was his dream to sign for Chelsea.
Willian, 27, made his name in Ukraine having hit 37 goals in 221 games for Shakhtar Donetsk following a 2007 move from Corinthians – but in January 2013, the Brazilian moved on to join Anzhi Makhachkala.
Manchester City’s Leroy Sane in action with Chelsea’s Willian
One of Anzhi’s big-money signings during their days of financial clout, Willian played just 17 games before the money dried up and he was sold on to Chelsea in August 2013.
Willian has become a key player for Chelsea in more than three years at Stamford Bridge, as he has grabbed 22 goals in 151 games for the Blues, scoring in last weekend’s 3-1 win at Manchester City.
Chelsea’s Willian in action with West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna
Now, Willian has looked back on his move to London in an interview with Chelsea’s official YouTube channel, and commented on how he snubbed Tottenham Hotspur at the 11th hour.
As reported by The Guardian back in 2013, Tottenham were on the verge of landing Willian for £32m, and he even even completed a medical with Spurs as the White Hart Lane club moved to land a replacement for Gareth Bale.
Chelsea’s Willian reacts
However, Spurs were left fuming as Willian turned his back on the club at the last minute, and made the short trip across London to join rivals Chelsea in a controversial U-turn.
Willian has now suggested that turning down Spurs was ‘difficult’, and told Tottenham that he was sorry but he had to follow his dream to play for Chelsea, claiming it was the best moment of his life to sign for the club.
“It was difficult,” said Willian. “In that moment, there was only Tottenham to go to, but I didn’t sign. When at the last moment Chelsea came in, I said ‘I’m sorry, but I go to Chelsea – that’s my dream and I have to go there. I don’t care. I go there’. I think it was the best moment of my life when I signed with Chelsea because it was my dream to come here,” he added.
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