Premier League
When Mourinho wanted Eto’o instead of Shevchenko at Chelsea
Published
1 year agoon
By
Maria Keane
Jose Mourinho brought Samuel Eto’o to Inter in 2009. Originally, “The Special One” wanted to lure the Cameroonian to Chelsea years earlier.
Jose Mourinho and Samuel Eto’o have always had an extremely ambivalent relationship. Between dislike (Eto’o called Mourinho a “dork”) and pure appreciation (“I was lucky enough to be his player”) there was felt the whole range over the years.
Mourinho wanted Eto’o back in 2006
During his time at Barca, the Cameroonian initially perceived the then blues coach as a motivating factor: “When we played against Chelsea with Barcelona, it was not against the players, but against Mourinho, which was particularly motivating for us,” said Eto’o in 2019 at a LaLiga event.
What has been forgotten in many places due to the initial rivalry: Mourinho wanted to guide Eto’o to Stamford Bridge after Barca’s Champions League triumph in summer 2006. “We wanted to sign Samuel Eto’o, he was our goal,” said the Portuguese about seven years later on the Chelsea homepage.
Chelsea owner Abramovich was “more than willing to bring Eto’o here because he was the player I wanted. Mr Abramovich did everything to bring him over.”
Ultimately, however, those in charge failed to get the striker as Barca crossed the line. “Barcelona said: ‘We don’t sell – it doesn’t matter if it’s a zero more or less, forget it’,” said Mourinho.
Mourinho and Eto’o celebrate CL triumph with Inter: “Nobody would have thought us capable”
Instead, the Blues then opted for Andriy Shevchenko, who came from Milan for just under 44 million euros. However, the Ukrainian was never able to fully build on his glory days at the Rossoneri in London and fell well short of expectations with a meager result of 22 goals in 77 competitive games.
Nevertheless, Mourinho and Eto’o were to work together in the following years – even twice: First at Inter Milan, where they triumphed together in the Champions League in 2010, “which nobody would have expected us to do,” said Eto’o.
They met again in 2013, when Eto’o spent a season at the senior footballer age during Mourinho’s second term at Chelsea. “I was lucky enough to be his player,” said Eto’o about his time with “The Special One.”
You may like
-
First bankruptcy for Ronaldo and Co. under Rangnick
-
Premier League today live on TV, live stream and live ticker
-
Premier League: Last-minute bankruptcy at Everton
-
Raphael Varane moves to English Premier League after joining Manchester United in a £42.7m deal
-
New Tottenham coach Nuno Espirito Santo says he has plans for striker Harry Kane
-
Felix Brych ends his international referee career: A look back at his achievements


3rd league today in the live ticker
On the 29th matchday of the 3rd division, TSV 1860 Munich and Borussia Dortmund II meet today. Here you can...


3rd league live today on TV, live stream and live ticker
In the 3rd division, TSV 1860 Munich and Borussia Dortmund II face each other today. Here you can find out...


3rd league today in the live ticker
Dynamo Dresden welcomes SpVgg Bayreuth today. At SPOX, the duel is ticked live. In the 3rd league, Dynamo Dresden and...
Trending
-
Bundesliga1 week ago
FC Bayern Munich – Julian Nagelsmann expresses suspicion in the mole affair
-
Bundesliga2 weeks ago
FCB talent Paul Wanner will probably be awarded
-
News1 week ago
3rd league live today on TV, live stream and live ticker
-
Bundesliga1 day ago
Thomas Tuchel allegedly earns so princely in Munich
-
Bundesliga2 weeks ago
SV Werder Bremen – Bayer Leverkusen 2: 3: After a deficit! Werkself wins without Wirtz
-
Bundesliga1 week ago
1. FC Köln 6: 1: Guerreiro, Reus and Haller conjure up! Borussia Dortmund is the leader for the time being after a thumping victory
-
Premier League2 weeks ago
Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic has these options in the summer
-
Bundesliga3 days ago
FC Bayern Munich – network reactions to the dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann: “One of the dumbest clubs in the league for years”