Yakubu Aiyegbeni is one of the greatest Nigerian players to have played in Europe…
Former Super Eagles striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has revealed that he was close to signing for Chelsea in 2008, but the deal fell through due to an injury, Soccernet.ng reports.
Yakubu is one of the greatest strikers to emerge from Nigeria. He spent most of his career in England and Israel, but it was in England that he carved his legacy.
He is the highest-scoring Nigerian in the Premier League, with 95 goals and 24 assists to his name.
Yakubu achieved this while playing for clubs like Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Middlesbrough, and Portsmouth.
However, he believes he could have built an even bigger legacy, as he had an opportunity to join Chelsea in 2008.
In a recent interview, he admitted that his move was thwarted only by an injury he suffered while negotiations were ongoing.
What Yakubu Aiyegbeni Said About His Failed Chelsea Move
According to the timeline provided by Yakubu Aiyegbeni, the Chelsea deal was supposed to happen just before the winter transfer window of the 2008/09 Premier League season.
He was at Everton at the time and had even provided four goals and one assist in 14 appearances in that campaign.
“I was unlucky not to play for Chelsea. I got a chance to sign for Chelsea, and then I got injured,” Yakubu said on the Home Turf Podcast.
“I ruptured my achilles and I didn’t play for 11 months. That was was day they were negotiating a fee for me, about £15 million, so I didn’t play, and that was gone.
“I was crying in the dressing room because it was my time to play for one of the bigger clubs. But so far so good, I went to Leicester in the Championship, scored goals, then I went to Blackburn Rovers and came back to the Premier League. I think I did everything”
Yakubu picked himself up exceptionally well after that disappointment and went on to do well at Everton and his other clubs.
He was one of the scariest strikers during his playing days. His perfect blend of power and technique made him a nightmare for many defenders.
Remarkably, all his goals in the Premier League came while playing for mid-table clubs. Perhaps, if he had gone on to play for a big side like Chelsea, he might have achieved far more than he did during his career.
