The legendary Spanish winger Joaquin told that he was the first person to reject Jose Mourinho as Chelsea made a transfer talk.
Joaquin Rodriguez Sanchez stated that he was the first player to refuse Jose Mourinho. Evidently, in 2005, the Portuguese was ignored when a put a transfer offer while in Chelsea.
The London club enjoyed consistent success during that period. This was because Roman Abramovich spent a good amount of money in the early stages of the league.
Chelsea won the Premier League title under Mourinho. Although, now the boss looked to enhance the strength of the team even further.
Joaquin played at Real Betis at that time. He was on the transfer list for the Blues.
Chelsea was used to the feeling of earning whatever they wanted. As the club had a good success rate and a top-class manager.
Surprisingly, the Spanish winger did not enter into negotiations with the Premier League club per Goal.
After being asked whether he spoke to Mourinho, Joaquin told Daily Mail: “Well in the meeting I didn’t because I never turned up!
“They were all at the Alfonso XIII hotel and I was coming back from a publicity thing in Madrid and I didn’t want to go to the meeting. I knew if I went, I would end up going to England. So I didn’t go.
“I spoke to Mourinho later and apologized. And afterward, he thanked me. He said: ‘I appreciate you being honest because, well, you are the first footballer that has said no to me’.
Joaquin aged 23 during this incident. He added on turning down the Blues: “[Betis president Manuel Ruiz de] Lopera said to me that I had to leave because they had reached an agreement.
“It had all happened very quickly for me. I was 20 years old when I played in the World Cup in 2002. I remember having a lot of stress because it was not easy to take it all on board.
“When the moment of truth came, I didn’t want to take that step of going to another team. I just didn’t see myself leaving home.
“The president would say: ‘Here comes the Russian again with an offer behind his back’. But I was happy where I was.
“People always say to me: ‘Joaquin, don’t you regret it?’
“Well the answer is no, I don’t. I know I lost an important opportunity to play for a great team and earn a lot of money but it just wasn’t what I was thinking about at that time.”
Joaquin left Betis in 2006 to Valencia. His career seemed to be on a standstill. That being said, he is back to his old club. And at the age of 39, does not want to retire soon.
“When you get to thirty-something, every year you think: let’s see this year. But physically I’m in good shape,” he said.
“If I can do another year after this one, if my body can take it and they want me to, then you won’t be able to drag me away!”
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