Ashley Cole was the antidote to Chelsea's left-back malady, which had been rippling through the club like a poison for a number of years before his arrival. Celestine Babayaro and Asier del Horno simply didn't cut it in the era before Cole's arrival, but that doesn't mean Chelsea weren't working behind the scenes in acquiring the cream of the cop instead. After all, only the best is required for Roman. He may have been 31 years of age, but World Cup winner and Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos was sniffed out as a potential acquisition in the spring of 2004, as Abramovich attempted to step up Chelsea's spending spree. With Real director of football Jorge Valdano confirming the £20 million bid, it was mooted that the Blues would then offer the ball-swerving full-back a salary of £120,000 p/wk.
''Let me make this clear: I have not spoken directly to anybody but Chelsea's people have spoken to my lawyers. The story about me having a pre-contract agreement with them is false. I only have a year left on my contract, the market has opened up for me and there will be a number of important clubs running to me like madmen to offer money.'' - Roberto Carlos, May 2004.
In the end, Carlos stayed with the Spanish giants, leaving the Blues to make do with the unspectacular Wayne Bridge for another season.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
