10 Biggest Dodged Bullets In Chelsea Transfer History

2. Robinho

Perhaps the closest any of this list's overrated Brazilians have come to putting pen to paper at the Bridge - with a special shout-out here to Zenit St Petersburg's profoundly average Hulk, a major target during the Mourinho, Villas-Boas and Scolari days who mercifully never agreed a deal - Robinho was so intent on signing for Chelsea that he demanded a transfer from Real Madrid, only for Manchester City to swoop in at the final second and snatch him out from under Roman Abramovich's nose. As a youngster, the forward had enjoyed the traditional status of 'New Pele' bequeathed to every teenager with a pulse passing through Santos' academy. Following four highly productive years at the Brazilian club, he was picked up by Madrid for ‚24 million in 2005. His star rose as he broke from Fabio Capello's bench to eventually show his worth, lacking consistency but nevertheless managing a decent goal return in each of his four seasons. Chelsea had lusted after him for some time, having made various attempts at nabbing him prior to his move to Spain. With Scolari in need of a big name as a statement of intent upon his return to club management, the London club pursued the player relentlessly, eventually agreeing a fee of around £30 million for the forward. Unfortunately, newly flushed Manchester City saw an opportunity and pounced, offering Madrid £32.5 million and Robinho a significantly higher wage to turn out in their sky blue shirts instead. The move was so sudden that even Robinho appeared slightly flabergasted, accidentally mentioning Chelsea in lieu of City in his first press conference. His first season at Manchester was a success, managing 15 goals, but injury and poor form limited him to a single goal in twelve appearances in his sophomore year before returning to Santos on loan, then back to Milan and ultimately Santos on loan again. With Scolari failing to last a year at Chelsea, the club can breathe a sigh of relief they didn't end up with two overrated Brazilians on their books.