Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has explained that an offer was once on the table from Everton for him to sign following his appearance at Goodison Park.
The left-back shot to fame in Europe particularly throughout his time at Real Madrid, where he joined in 1996 and made 527 appearances in all competitions before leaving in 2007. Spells at Inter Milan and Fenerbahce came before and after that period in La Liga respectively.
But, in different circumstances, an international match at Goodison as part of the Umbro Cup between Brazil and Japan could well have changed the course of the defender's career. Carlos played in that game and scored the opening goal of a 3-0 win for his country, with Everton later showing interest in his signature.
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That made the Blues one of four Premier League sides to try and tempt the full-back to England during his playing days, with him admitting that the closest he came was when Chelsea wanted to sign him from Real Madrid.
He told Blockasset: "2007, I received a proposal from Chelsea. I talked in that time to Abramovich, but we had some problems with the contract and I didn't sign, that's why I went to play at Fenerbahce.
"But in England Chelsea, Everton, Birmingham and Aston Villa. There were four teams interested but Aston Villa was in the beginning of my career, Everton after a game of Brazil vs Japan in Goodison Park where I scored a goal.
"But the most important deal was with Chelsea."
