Jose Mourinho Reveals Regret at Failing to Sign Steven Gerrard for Chelsea
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he did everything in his power to sign Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard a decade ago.
Gerrard has spent his entire career at Liverpool but will leave for LA Galaxy in the summer, but things could have been different had Gerrard accepted the advances of Mourinho when he looked to sign him in 2005. Gerrard was considering leaving Anfield but ended up staying on as his love for Liverpool was too strong.
According to Mail Online, Mourinho revealed: “I was dreaming of Claude Makelele, Gerrard and Frank Lampard. We were playing in an open triangle without a No 10, we were playing with Maka in front of the defenders and me and Mr Abramovich and Peter Kenyon were dreaming that.
“We did everything. It was almost there. But the decision for me was proven right because he will be always a red forever. Gerrard’s people were open to it and the feeling to join a top side like Chelsea, I think the feeling was there but to me personally he never said ‘I will go’.
“I love these quotes when he (Gerrard) was saying that in this life he would never score against Liverpool. I understand why he was almost coming to Chelsea and he didn’t.”
Gerrard’s infamous slip against Chelsea last season has prompted a derogatory song from the Blues’ fans, and ahead of the League Cup semi-final clash between the sides this week Mourinho insists Gerrard deserves more respect.
He continued: “He’s a historic player for Liverpool, a historic player for the Premier League. He’s an opponent I always admired and respected. There is a song that my fans have that I don’t like at all.
“A couple of times it’s good fun but to go and go and go, especially when a player like him deserves respect, we don’t need that.”
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