Chelsea and Arsenal are two of the biggest rivals of the Premier League as their rivalry is considered as big as Liverpool vs. Manchester United, Real Madrid vs. Barcelona. Hijacking transfers from rival clubs has always been a common thing in the football world. These two London based football teams are no different.
Blues legend Shawn Wright-Phillips recently made a shocking claim that he was actually ready to move to Arsenal before joining the blues back in 2005. The Blues spent £21m which was a huge fee back then. The former England International recently spoke with Sportscasting.com where he revealed;
Chelsea Legend Makes Shocking Claim; He Was An Arsenal Bound Before Becoming A Blue
“Yeah, there was an opportunity to join Arsenal. Arsenal were the first movers in terms of when I first left City. The only reason it didn't happen is because Arsene Wenger wanted to wait until January, and I think City needed it to happen right away, because it wasn't something that me or my agent at that time forced. It was something that the club had to make happen in terms of they would have gone into administration if they didn't sell me.
Shaun Wright-Philips is a Chelsea Legend
“So, if Arsene Wenger had just said ‘Okay, we will take him now,’ I most probably would have played for Arsene rather than Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. My dad (Arsenal legend Ian Wright) was always excited, but he just wanted it done. He's just always brought me up in football with the mindset that you always strike while the iron's hot because you could go on a pitch the next week and break your ankle.
Wright-Philips Spent 3 Years in Chelsea
“When we were going to Chelsea, when we were walking down to Stamford Bridge, he was mad excited. And he was like, ‘What's wrong with you? Somebody stole your wallet or something?’ I replied: ‘I'm just a lot more chilled than you are.’ Arsenal was a sliding doors moment for me.”
During the time, Wright-Philips was also linked with Liverpool but the fee the Blues paid was not easy for other clubs to match. After his successful three years spell with the Blues, he went to Manchester City in 2008 where he spent three more years. He then moved to Queens Park Rangers in 2011. He announced his retirement in 2017. Right now he is not associated with any footballing role in any club.
