Spain International admits he regrets snubbing move to Chelsea

Joaquin admits turning down a move to Chelsea could have been a bad move

REAL BETIS winger Joaquin has revealed he turned down the opportunity to sign for Chelsea and rues the decision.

 

Jose Mourinho tried to sign the 34-year-old during his first stint in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2004.

Joaquin confirms the Portuguese travelled to Spain to convince him to put pen to paper but he turned down the move to stay in La Liga.

But he now realises he could have been better off financially and made more of an impact on the game as an 'important player' if he had made the move.

 

He told El Decano Deportivo: "I had more than one chance to do it. I lost a significant opportunity, economically and sporting wise, to win titles or of being a much more important player. 

"I know that but I don't regret it. My happiness at that time was not there, that's why I stayed."

And when asked about Mourinho's decision to travel to Cadiz to persuade him to sign for the Blues, he replied: ""I think he did. I came from Madrid, after filming an advert with Mahou and they were waiting for me there.

 

Joaquin was predicted to do big things during his first spell at Real Betis

"He wanted to see me but I said: 'If I go there, he's going to convince me', and leaving Betis never crossed my mind. 

"That's why I never went to meet him. I made it clear to him over the phone. The next day, he came back and spoke to my father who told him 'Mourinho, get back, because he's not leaving here.'

If he'd come to me at a different moment in time, things would've undoubtedly been different

Joaquin

"In the final conversation I had with him he realised that was impossible because it never crossed my mind to leave, no matter all the money they offered me.

"He told me to come with him and I said 'Jose, look, I don't think I'm going to be happy there and I prefer to stay.' 

"I was in good form with Betis. I was 20 years old... If he'd come to me at a different moment in time, things would've undoubtedly been different."