‘A Phone Call Stopped Me From Joining Tottenham – I Won 2 Trophies The following Season I Joined Rivals’
In football, transfer windows are often filled with twists and surprises. Clubs work tirelessly behind the scenes to secure their top targets, but until the signature hits the paper, nothing is guaranteed. Few stories illustrate this better than the dramatic events of the summer of 2013, when Tottenham Hotspur believed they had landed Brazilian star Willian—only for a late phone call to completely rewrite the script.
Tottenham had acted swiftly in their pursuit of the Anzhi Makhachkala winger. The club had reached an agreement with the Russian side for a fee in the region of £30 million. With the deal progressing smoothly, Willian travelled to North London, completed his medical, and was expected to sign within hours. For Spurs, it was a statement move, part of an ambitious summer that also included the likes of Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, as they sought to reshape their squad following Gareth Bale’s impending departure to Real Madrid.
But just as everything seemed in place, Willian received an unexpected call—one that would change not only his career trajectory but also ignite one of the Premier League’s most talked-about transfer hijacks.
“I had done everything with Tottenham,” Willian said, reflecting on the moment. “Medical done, everything agreed. I was even sitting in their training ground waiting for the final step. That’s when my agent came in and said, ‘Chelsea have called.’”
The call wasn’t just a casual inquiry. Chelsea, alerted to Willian’s presence in London and sensing a chance to strike, moved decisively. Club owner Roman Abramovich personally stepped in, leveraging his connections in Russia and his influence within the footballing world. Chelsea had a history of being swift and effective in the transfer market, and this occasion was no different.
“When Chelsea came in, it was a dream moment,” Willian continued. “It was the club I always wanted to play for. As soon as I heard their offer, I told my agent, ‘Let’s go. That’s where I want to be.’ It was a tough situation because Tottenham had treated me well, but my heart said Chelsea.”
Tottenham, understandably, were furious. They had done all the hard work, only for their rivals to swoop in at the last second. Spurs fans were left feeling betrayed, and the club’s management blindsided. Despite the backlash and criticism from Spurs supporters, Willian stood by his decision.
What followed validated everything for the Brazilian. In his very first full season with Chelsea, Willian became an integral part of José Mourinho’s title-winning side. He played with intensity, creativity, and a relentless work rate that made him one of the most dependable players in the squad. That season, Chelsea lifted both the Premier League and the League Cup—two trophies Willian had dreamed of winning.
“It just confirmed I made the right decision,” he said. “Winning trophies in my first season was incredible. I felt at home at Chelsea, and the fans embraced me. It was the beginning of something special.”
Over the years, Willian would go on to make more than 300 appearances for Chelsea, winning multiple trophies including another Premier League title and the FA Cup. His time at the club was filled with memorable moments, stunning goals, and performances that solidified his place among the Premier League’s elite wingers.
Meanwhile, Tottenham continued their search for silverware, but the sting of losing out on Willian—especially to a local rival—remained a sore spot for fans.
The story of Willian’s transfer hijack has since become part of Premier League folklore, a reminder that in football, nothing is certain until the deal is done. It also highlights how one phone call—one moment—can change the course of a player’s career forever.
“I have nothing but respect for Tottenham,” Willian added. “But Chelsea was always my dream. And sometimes in football, destiny makes the choice for you.”
