Roman Abramovich’s hate for Spurs saw him block ex-Chelsea star joining rivals

Roman Abramovich's hatred for Tottenham Hotspur reached such heights that he rejected to sell any of his ex-Chelsea stars to the club.

The former Chelsea owner – who bought the Premier League in 2003 – refused to do any business with their North London rivals. The billionaire once stopped ex-Chelsea ace Carlton Cole from joining Spurs as the 40-year-old revealed he was moments away from becoming a Lilywhite before a last-minute intervention from Abramovich.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former England international said: "I almost joined Spurs. I went and did my medical and everything. Roman Abramovich found out and he said ‘you've got to come back, you’re not joining them’. He said ‘you can’t go to Spurs, I don’t do business with them’."

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While Cole instead joined West Ham in 2006 where he played for seven years, the Russian oligarch tried to get the former striker to depart England in order to move to Russia. He continued: "'I've got an alternative for you' [said Abramovich]. I drive back to Stamford Bridge with my uncle and my dad. He had his interpreter with him. Roman Abramovich was there, we were talking. I was saying 'where am I going?'

"He said, 'I will give you a new contract but you've got to go to CSKA Moscow. His other team. I was trying to get into the England team. Those days you could not go abroad. If you go abroad you don't get in the England team. So I said to him, 'I ain't going to CSKA Moscow, pal."

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During the 57-year-old's 19-year reign as Chelsea owner, Carlo Cudicini was the only player to join Tottenham directly from the West London in 2009. Chelsea were transformed into a European powerhouse under the Russian who was forced to sell the club in 2022.

The UK government froze his assets in the United Kingdom after the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine war. The club were soon purchased by a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly.

Chelsea have had a stuttering start to the season with three wins in their opening 10 games. Meanwhile, Spurs are flying high under Ange Postecoglou as they remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League as the rivals are set to meet on Monday (November 6) at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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