Chelsea hero Carlton Cole: Abramovich won't sell to Tottenham | OneFootball

Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has revealed how owner Roman Abramovich blocked a move to Tottenham.

Cole has told the story of how Abramovich stopped the striker from moving to Spurs, even after he had already completed a medical.

He told Talksport: "I almost joined Spurs. I went and did my medical and everything.

"Roman Abramovich found out and he said 'you've got to come back, you're not joining them'. He said 'you can't go to Spurs, I don't do business with them'."

The only player to leave Chelsea for Tottenham since 2003 was goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who left on a free transfer in 2009.

He said: "'I've got an alternative for you' (said Abramovich). I drive back to Stamford Bridge with my uncle and my dad.

"He had his interpreter with him. Roman Abramovich was there, we were talking. I was saying 'where am I going?'

"He said, 'I will give you a new contract but you've got to go to CSKA Moscow' - his other team.

"I was trying to get into the England team. Those days you could not go abroad. If you go abroad you don't get in the England team. So I said to him, 'I ain't going to CSKA Moscow, pal.'"