Chelsea twice stood on the edge of changing Premier League history, by only to step back at the final moment.
Sergio Aguero Was Very Close In Joining Chelsea in 2010
Chelsea’s first rumoured links with Sergio Aguero came in January 2010, at a time when the club was already one of Europe’s top sides. Fresh from facing Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, **the Blues**‘ scouts were confident that they had seen a future Premier League star. Aguero was young, fearless, and already leading the line in Spain with rare confidence. The Blues moved quickly, opening talks and submitting a bid that showed real intent.
In an interview, Aguero said: “After that game (Man City vs Atletico), maybe two months after, my agent said to me, ‘Chelsea are interested’.
“I spoke about that with Frank Lampard because Frank Lampard played at Manchester City. He said when I played against him, he told the staff at Chelsea to sign Agüero.”
But, intent alone was not enough. Chelsea’s offer of £30 million landed well below Atletico’s valuation. With that, the gap likely proved costly. Transfer talks dragged on, agent demands annoyed the club’s senior figures, and patience was running out. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was willing to spend big, but not at any cost. Given that, they walked away believing another chance would come.
That decision changed the league. Twelve months later, Manchester City stepped in and paid the £38 million what Chelsea would not. Aguero arrived in England and began a scoring run that would define an era. The Blues watched from afar as a striker they once chased became a Premier League icon. He was leaving behind a sense of what might have been at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues’ Had A Second Chance To Sign The Argentine
Seven years later, Chelsea were back on top of English football. Head coach Antonio Conte had just delivered a dominant title win. That run was built on hunger, pace, and clinical finishing. Although, behind the scenes, the striker situation was breaking apart. During the time, Diego Costa was the face of Chelsea’s attack. He was pushed out with a message that shocked the football world. Conte wanted a big change and a new leader up front.
That leader was meant to be Sergio Aguero. Despite still scoring freely for Man City, his future felt uncertain under Pep Guardiola. Chelsea sensed an opening and moved in quietly. Aguero was identified as the perfect fit at the West London club. He was a proven scorer ready to fire the Blues into another title charge.
In another interview, Aguero said: “I was on the verge of going to Chelsea, then Manchester City cancelled the deal in the last minute. It was Conte. Diego Costa was leaving.”
For a brief moment, the deal felt real. Chelsea believed they could pull off the impossible by taking City’s greatest striker. However, timing, money, and hesitation once again played their part. Transfer talks stalled and other options were explored. At the end, they turned to Alvaro Morata instead.
What Chelsea Lost and City Gained Forever
The numbers tell a clear but harsh story. Aguero went on to score 82 more goals for Manc City after 2017. He finished with 260 in total and booking his place among the league’s legends. His goals delivered titles, famous comebacks, and moments that still have special memories around the Etihad.
For City, signing the Argentine striker became one of the smartest deals in Premier League history. For Chelsea, the fallout was likely painful. They lacked stability, and the club went through plenty of strikers without finding a perfect fit.
The idea of Aguero in blue feels unreal now, but it was closer than most fans ever knew. Given that, two separate windows could have reshaped English football.
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