Chelsea FC’s Dramatic Escape: The Story of How They Missed Out on Signing One of the World’s Best
In the world of football, player transfer sagas are a regular occurrence. Teams are constantly vying for the best talent, and sometimes, even the superstars get away. For Chelsea FC, a single transfer deal stands out as a "what if" moment that still haunts their fans to this day. In the summer of 2019, the Blues were on the cusp of signing one of the most coveted players in the world, but ultimately missed out on the deal.
The player in question is none other than Rodri, the Spanish midfielder who has since become a mainstay at Manchester City. At the time, Rodri was plying his trade in La Liga with Atlético Madrid, where he had established himself as one of the top young midfielders in the world. Chelsea, keen to strengthen their squad, identified Rodri as a key target and began negotiations for his transfer.
Sources close to the club hinted at a deal being on the brink of completion, with some reports suggesting that the player had even passed a medical at Chelsea’s Cobham Training Centre. The news sent shockwaves through the Premier League, with fans and pundits alike salivating at the prospect of Rodri’s arrival in west London.
However, just as it seemed the deal was all but done, Chelsea’s transfer chairman, Michael Emenalo, unexpectedly pulled out of the negotiations. Rumors swirled that the club’s hierarchy had changed their minds, with some whispering that the Board wanted a more experienced player to fill the midfield void.
In the end, Rodri opted for a move to Manchester City instead, signing a five-year deal with Pep Guardiola’s side. Since then, the 25-year-old has been a key player in City’s success, helping them win the 2020-21 Premier League title and the 2020 League Cup.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have continued to struggle with midfield depth and creativity, often relying on makeshift solutions to fill the void. The ‘what if’ scenarios linger, with fans wondering what could have been if Emenalo had pushed through with the Rodri deal.
As the years go by, the juncture becomes all the more fascinating. Could Rodri have been the catalyst for Chelsea’s first trophy in the post- Leonardo Ultras Anna era? Would he have partnered with N’Golo Kanté to create an unstoppable midfield duo? The questions remain unanswered, leaving only a lingering sense of ‘what could have been’ for the Blues faithful.
For fans of Manchester City, the memory of Rodri’s arrival serves as a poignant reminder of the Blue’s hierarchy’s commercial superiority, as they snatched up one of the world’s best players to bolster their already-stout squad. As the saga fades into history, the ‘what if’ remains: what could have been when Chelsea and Rodri almost signed on the dotted line, prematurely ending their pursuit of greatness.
