Brazil legend Cafu lifts the lid on Chelsea’s makes an attempt to signal him in his prime, earlier than double World Cup winner reveals which Premier League facet he helps

Double World Cup winner Cafu has revealed how shut Chelsea got here to signing him in his prime.

Cafu, 54, lifted the World Cup for the primary time with Brazil in 1994 earlier than captaining his nation to glory as soon as extra eight years later.

The total again was taking part in his membership soccer at Roma when Brazil gained their fifth World Cup in Japan in 2002, however issues may have been very totally different.

Cafu has lifted the lid on Chelsea’s makes an attempt to signal him in 2001 after he had simply gained Serie A with Roma, however defined that membership chairman Franco Sensi refused to just accept the Blues’ supply.

‘Chelsea made an official strategy, however Sensi informed them, “Overlook about it – no person takes our boys from right here and we’re going to maintain this group for a very long time”,’ Cafu informed FourFourTwo.

‘He used to say that we have been all his youngsters. It could have been a pleasant expertise to play within the Premier League – in 2001 it was already one of many largest leagues on the time – however we couldn’t attain a deal.’

Cafu would go on to remain at Roma for one more two years earlier than shifting to fellow Italian membership AC Milan.

He spent 5 years at Milan, profitable Serie A and the Champions League earlier than retiring in 2008 having by no means performed within the Premier League.

Cafu got here near becoming a member of Claudio Ranieri’s Chelsea simply two years earlier than Roman Abramovich’s takeover, which led to essentially the most profitable interval within the membership’s historical past.

However the Brazilian legend has admitted he really helps one other Premier League membership.

‘I nonetheless comply with the Premier League and I like watching Kevin De Bruyne – he performs with such ease, it’s spectacular,’ Cafu added.

‘I’m a Liverpool fan, although. I’ve visited the membership a number of occasions and I get pleasure from their historical past, their stadium ambiance, their songs. 

‘I even bought the possibility to satisfy Jon Flanagan, who was dubbed “the following Cafu”, and we took an image collectively. I nonetheless keep in mind that day.’