Chelsea could have had one of the world’s best on two separate occasions.
The Blues have had a few Ballon d’Or winners at the club over the years, but none who won the honour while playing at Stamford Bridge.
Andriy Shevchenko, George Weah and Ruud Gullit are the three to achieve that feat elsewhere.
Chelsea turned down reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele a few years ago, and apparently fumbled the opportunity to sign another future winner — twice.
Luka Modric playing for Real Madrid
Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images
Luka Modric wanted to join Chelsea two different times
Luka Modric will go down as one of Real Madrid’s greatest midfielders, and Los Blancos’ most decorated player.
An insane feat considering the names that have donned the white shirt, but the Croatian has won more than anyone. But he would have liked to do so in blue too, as he recently revealed.
Appearing on a podcast with Neuspjeh prvaka, he first recalls Chelsea’s interest when he was at Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb.
He says: “I wanted to leave, that’s when I got a little upset and had a small conflict. Not a major one, but I was angry at the club because I wanted to leave.
“Then Chelsea appeared, and when the club didn’t want to let me go, Tottenham came in June, and I immediately knew, when that option appeared, knowing the club well and said, ‘I’m going’.”
He would come to London, but not to Chelsea as he initially wanted. The Blues weren’t done with their interest, though, and went back in for Modric when his Spurs deal was drawing to an end.
Luka Modric playing for Spurs vs Chelsea
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
As he explains: “Is it true that president Levy promised you, a year ago, that if Real called you, you would go, or isn’t that so? It’s true that he promised me. When Chelsea didn’t happen, he promised me half the season.
“I insisted on moving on, because Chelsea wanted me for next year, and I said I wanted to go. We had negotiations to extend and sign a new contract. However, at one point, I don’t know why, he told me that the only club he would let me go to was Real Madrid.”
Modric won’t be looking back with regret after what he has gone on to achieve, but Chelsea might.
Chelsea’s wait for a Ballon d’Or will end
While no Blue has been named best in the world while at Stamford Bridge yet, it can’t be too far away.
After two straight seasons nominated for the honour, Gary Lineker believes Cole Palmer is a future Ballon d’Or winner.
Estevao Willian has also been tipped for the Ballon d’Or, and you also have Moises Caicedo and Reece James who are right up there in terms of best in the world in their position.
Moises Caicedo is Chelsea’s most important player…
Since he joined, Chelsea have won just 25% of games (2/8) which Moises Caicedo hasn’t started (Opta Analyst)
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo clapping
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
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The award is traditionally heavily influenced by team success, so if Chelsea can get back to the peak of Europe, any of those four would be worthy winners.
This coming year, it’s going to come down to who thrives at the World Cup in June.
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