Top 5 transfers hijacked by Chelsea: 5. Juan Mata With Cesc Fabregas, edging towards a return to Barcelona, Arsenal were in need of a new creative playmaker in summer 2011. The Gunners were thought to have matched Matas release clause with Valencia and a move to North London appeared to be in the offing for the pass-master. But soon after, Chelsea agreed a £23.5m deal for the then 23-year-old and Mata moved to Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard was named the Blues player of the year for two consecutive seasons but is about to join Manchester United. 4. Michael Ballack After clashing with Bayern Munich hierarchy, German star Ballack became available in summer 2006 and was wanted by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson. But just as it seemed United would land Ballack, the midfielder moved to Stamford Bridge. Ballack said he wanted to stay at Chelsea for life but the former Bayer Leverkusen star remained for just four seasons winning the Premier League and three FA Cups. 3. Mohamed Salah Rumours linking Liverpool with a move for the Egyptian Messi had been circulating feverishly since the beginning of January, with the Reds thought to be in advanced talks with the 21-year- olds club FC Basel over a £15m deal. Just as the Reds appeared close to landing the winger, Chelsea accepted Manchester Uniteds bid for Juan Mata and entered the running for their Champions League group stage tormentor Salah. The Blues have now announced that an agreement has been reached with Basel for the transfer of the promising youngster, subject to the formality of personal terms and a medical. 2. Willian The Brazilian wingers flirtation with no less than three Premier League clubs was one of the biggest talking points of the summer. With Liverpool favourites to sign the playmaker from Anzhi Mackhachkalas fire-sale, Tottenham infuriated Reds fans with a late swoop and Willian arrived at Hotspur Way, completed a medical and agreed personal terms. But a phonecall between Anzhis Russian owner Suleyman Kerimov and Chelseas Russia owner Roman Abramovich saw Willian drive straight from North to West London and agree a deal with Chelsea. Jose Mourinho gloated in a press conference the following day. 1. Jon Obi Mikel This one got messy! In summer 2005, Manchester United announced they had agreed a deal with a then 18-year-old Mikel and his club Lyn Olso for the £4m transfer of the Nigerian to Old Trafford. Chelsea then issued a counter-claim suggesting they already had an agreement with Mikel and his agents. With the player favouring a move to West London, the case went to a tribunal and the Blues eventually had to pay Manchester United £16m for Mikel. The enforcer has since played over 300 appearances for Chelsea but faces competition for a defensive midfield spot from new-boy Nemanja Matic.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 07:49:47 +0000
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