I spent eight hours doing Spurs medical then joined rivals – one director threatened me
Fans fondly recall the moment they intercepted Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Brazilian winger Willian in 2013, a transfer saga that has since become legendary in Premier League history.
The dramatic turn of events highlighted Chelsea’s transfer dominance at the time, leaving Spurs and their fans with a bitter memory they haven’t forgotten.
At the heart of this tale was Willian, then a 25-year-old standout at Anzhi Makhachkala. Tottenham, flush with funds after Gareth Bale’s record-breaking £85 million transfer to Real Madrid, had lined up the Brazilian as a marquee signing.
Manager Andre Villas-Boas, optimistic about securing the player, scheduled a medical for Willian as the final step before completing the deal. Yet, just as Spurs seemed poised to land their man, Chelsea swooped in.
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich personally intervened, contacting Anzhi’s owner Suleyman Kerimov to outmaneuver Spurs. This direct approach proved decisive, as Chelsea not only matched Tottenham’s offer but also persuaded Willian to change course at the eleventh hour.
Despite Liverpool also expressing interest, it was Chelsea who emerged victorious, signing the player for a reported £30 million on a five-year deal.
Willian later revealed that Chelsea was his preferred destination all along. In an interview with Brazilian TV, he recounted receiving the news of Chelsea’s offer while at Tottenham’s training ground for his scheduled medical.
Without hesitation, he informed his agent to cancel the medical and redirect negotiations to Stamford Bridge. This sudden change of plans reportedly infuriated Tottenham officials, who spent hours trying to dissuade the player from reneging on their agreement.
Tottenham’s then-chairman Daniel Levy even warned Willian of potential consequences, including reporting him to FIFA. However, the winger remained resolute. Reflecting on the episode, he admitted it was a difficult decision but stood firm in his desire to join Chelsea. When he eventually signed with the Blues, he expressed delight at the opportunity to work with José Mourinho, calling Chelsea “one of the best clubs in the world.”
The fallout from this transfer only deepened the animosity between Chelsea and Tottenham, two clubs already embroiled in a fierce rivalry. This tension had previously flared when Levy blocked a £40 million move for Luka Modrić to Chelsea, despite the midfielder’s desire to join. Mourinho and Villas-Boas, who had worked together in the past but later fell out, added another layer of intrigue to the rivalry.
Willian’s Chelsea debut came shortly after his transfer, and he quickly endeared himself to the club’s fans. In his first Premier League appearance, he scored within minutes of coming off the bench in a match against Norwich.
Over his seven years at Stamford Bridge, he played 339 games, scored 63 goals, and won multiple trophies, including two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Europa League. His performances against Tottenham were particularly memorable, with four goals and an assist in 17 appearances.
Chelsea supporters, reveling in their triumph over Spurs, even created a chant celebrating the transfer saga. The lyrics humorously mocked Tottenham for losing out on Willian, a sentiment echoed by Mourinho, who famously quipped about the risks of conducting medicals before finalizing contracts.
Adding insult to injury, Willian joined Tottenham’s North London rivals Arsenal in 2020 after leaving Chelsea. Although his stint at Arsenal lasted only one season before returning to Brazil with Corinthians, it further cemented his status as a figure of frustration for Spurs fans. He later returned to the Premier League with Fulham in 2022, continuing to thrive in London, a city he described as “everything” to him and his family.
As of 2025, Willian, now 36, remains linked to a potential Premier League comeback. Reports suggest two top-flight clubs have shown interest in bringing him back, though it’s unlikely Tottenham would ever be among them.
Despite leaving London for Greek side Olympiacos in 2024, the Brazilian winger has expressed his desire to continue playing at the top level until at least 37 or 38, keeping the door open for yet another chapter in his storied career.
Willian’s saga serves as a reminder of the unpredictable drama that defines football transfers. For Chelsea, it’s a tale of triumph, while for Tottenham, it remains a stinging example of what might have been.
The rivalry between the two clubs endures, fueled by moments like these, where the stakes go far beyond the pitch. As Willian’s career continues, his legacy as a player who left an indelible mark on London football remains undisputed.