SBOTOP : Mourinho Reveals Abramovich Blocked Samuel Eto’o Move to Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has reopened one of the most fascinating transfer stories from his first spell at Chelsea. The Portuguese manager has revealed that Roman Abramovich once blocked his preferred move for Samuel Eto’o, with the club instead signing Andriy Shevchenko in a deal that never quite lived up to expectations.

Mourinho was at the center of Chelsea’s rise during the mid-2000s. He guided the Blues to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, while also playing a major role in building a squad packed with elite talent.

However, behind the success, there were growing disagreements between Mourinho and Abramovich. One of the biggest involved Chelsea’s transfer strategy and the arrival of Shevchenko.

Mourinho now admits that Eto’o was actually the striker he wanted.

Mourinho and Abramovich Had Different Plans

Mourinho arrived at Chelsea and quickly transformed the club into a dominant force in English football.

During his first three years at Stamford Bridge, he helped bring several outstanding players to west London, including Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Michael Essien.

Those signings became important parts of Chelsea’s successful team.

However, tensions began to increase during Mourinho’s third season. One of the major disagreements concerned the club’s recruitment strategy.

Abramovich strongly pushed for Chelsea to sign Shevchenko. The Russian billionaire had a relationship with the Ukrainian striker and his representatives, making the transfer particularly attractive from the ownership perspective.

Mourinho, however, had another player in mind.

The Portuguese coach wanted Samuel Eto’o, who was at the peak of his career with Barcelona.

Eto’o Was Mourinho’s Preferred Target

Eto’o was enjoying an exceptional period at Barcelona when Chelsea were considering their options.

The Cameroon international had scored 34 goals before entering the 2006/2007 campaign, making him one of the most dangerous strikers in European football.

For Mourinho, Eto’o represented the type of forward who could fit perfectly into his Chelsea team.

Speaking in the Netflix documentary Mourinho, the former Chelsea boss explained how the situation unfolded.

“Abramovich had an incredible passion for football, but he had absolutely no understanding of the situation,” Mourinho said, according to The Sun.

“Shevchenko was on the negotiating table because of his relationship with the owner, his relationship with the agents. I never wanted to sign him, but I never told anyone that. That was also my responsibility.”

Mourinho then revealed the identity of his preferred target.

“Do you want to know who I wanted? Samuel Eto’o.”

That admission adds another layer to one of Chelsea’s most memorable transfer decisions.

Chelsea Chose Shevchenko Instead

Chelsea eventually completed the signing of Shevchenko from AC Milan in May 2006 for a reported £30 million.

At the time, the transfer generated huge excitement.

Shevchenko had established himself as one of Europe’s elite strikers at AC Milan. His goalscoring record in Italy made him one of the most sought-after forwards in world football.

However, his Chelsea career never reached the level many expected.

During his first Premier League season in 2006/2007, Shevchenko scored only four league goals. He did better across all competitions, finishing the campaign with 14 goals, but his overall impact remained below expectations.

The situation also contributed to the growing tension between Mourinho and the Chelsea hierarchy.

Around a year later, Mourinho left Stamford Bridge and continued his managerial career with Inter Milan.

Mourinho Finally Worked With Eto’o at Inter

Interestingly, Mourinho eventually got the opportunity to coach the striker he had wanted years earlier.

After moving to Inter Milan, Mourinho worked with Eto’o and helped the forward play a major role in one of the greatest seasons in the Italian club’s history.

Eto’o scored 16 goals during the campaign and became an important part of Inter’s treble-winning side.

The biggest moment came in the Champions League.

Inter eliminated Chelsea in the last 16 with a 3-1 aggregate victory, setting up another fascinating connection between Mourinho, Eto’o and Abramovich.

For Mourinho, the tie carried an emotional meaning beyond football.

“I Needed Revenge”

Mourinho later admitted that facing Chelsea gave him an opportunity to settle an old score with Abramovich.

“To be honest, I played against Roman in that match. I played against the man who sacked me. I went home happy and he went home disappointed,” Mourinho said.

“I knew how much he loved Chelsea and how much he loved winning. But I needed revenge.”

The comments reveal just how personal the encounter was for Mourinho.

Inter eventually went all the way in the Champions League, making the victory over Chelsea even more memorable.

The relationship between Mourinho and Abramovich had been complicated, but beating Chelsea with Eto’o in his team added a remarkable twist to the story.

Mourinho and Eto’o Reunited at Chelsea

Mourinho eventually returned to Chelsea in 2013, and this time he was finally able to work with Eto’o at Stamford Bridge.

However, the circumstances were very different.

Eto’o was no longer the unstoppable striker he had been during his Barcelona and Inter years. The Cameroon forward was already in the later stages of his career.

During the 2013/2014 season, Eto’o scored nine Premier League goals and 13 in all competitions.

Chelsea finished third in the Premier League before Eto’o left the club for Everton.

Although their second spell together did not produce the same level of success as their time at Inter, it finally gave Mourinho the chance to manage the player he had wanted back in 2006.

A Transfer Decision That Changed Chelsea History

Looking back, the Shevchenko transfer remains one of the most intriguing examples of the complicated relationship between Mourinho and Abramovich.

Mourinho wanted Eto’o. Abramovich wanted Shevchenko. Chelsea ultimately followed the owner’s preferred route.

Shevchenko’s struggles meant the decision was heavily scrutinized, while Eto’o went on to become a Champions League winner under Mourinho at Inter.

The story is a reminder that football transfers are rarely decided by one person alone. Managers, owners, agents and sporting executives can all have different ideas about what a team needs.

For Mourinho, the memory remains particularly significant because it eventually came full circle.

Years after losing the battle for Eto’o at Chelsea, he coached the striker at Inter, eliminated Abramovich’s Chelsea in Europe and lifted the Champions League trophy.

It is one of the more extraordinary chapters of Mourinho’s career—and a reminder of just how much can change after one transfer decision.