Former Chelsea player Geremi Njitap gave an exclusive interview to Telecomasia, discussing Roman Abramovich's influence on the London club's operations.
Geremi Njitap exclusively for Telecom Asia Sport
He wanted to make Chelsea one of the largest clubs in the world. That's why he brought in many strong players. Look at the squad we had, we became one of the biggest clubs in the world. We didn't envy Real, Barcelona, or Manchester United at that time. We didn't envy anyone because we were at the same level. Unfortunately, we never managed to win the Champions League, even though we came close. But we were really strong.
In June 2003, Abramovich purchased Chelsea for £140 million, which included covering the club's debts. At the time, the club was experiencing a financial crisis, struggling for survival. Over the following years, the entrepreneur invested over £2 billion into the club, allowing them to attract star players and coaches, including José Mourinho, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and more.
