Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos has told Squawka that he almost signed for Chelsea back in 2007, and that one of the club’s ex-stars is among the toughest players he has ever faced.
The former defender, who retired in 2012, was regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world during his prime, and understandably two wingers came up as his toughest opponents, as well as one of his former international team-mates and fellow full-backs.
“Figo, Robben and Cafu,” were the toughest opponents that the 42-year-old came up against in his illustrious career. Of the three, Arjen Robben was the only one he couldn’t call a team-mate, as he had played with Luis Figo at Real Madrid and with Cafu on numerous occasions for the Brazilian national team.
Of those three players, Robben is the only one still going strong, having played 21 games for Bayern Munich last season, scoring 17 goals in their Bundesliga-winning campaign.
On top of that revelation, he also told Squawka that Avram Grant almost brought him to the Premier League in 2007, when he would have been on the verge of leaving Los Blancos.
“Yes, with Chelsea under Avram Grant [in 2007],” replied the star, who eventually signed for Fenerbahce in that transfer window.
Carlos played over 900 games during his career and scored 113 goals, winning La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa America and the 2002 World Cup.