Fast approaching the twilight years of his career, Joaquín has revealed he turned down the chance to join Chelsea in an interview with El Decano Deportivo.
José Mourinho personally travelled to the port city of Cádiz, Southern Spain, in an effort to sign the winger. Unfortunately, the move never materialised despite the obvious benefits for both Chelsea and Joaquín himself.
Joaquín:
I lost a significant opportunity, economically and sporting wise, to win titles or of being a much more important player. I know that but I don’t regret it. My happiness at that time was not there, that’s why I stayed.
Now a veteran of the beautiful game, Joaquín’s career has taken him from Real Betis where he progressed through five years within the youth ranks, Valencia, Málaga and Fiorentina, before returning to Betis.
Joaquín was in his first spell with Los Verdiblancos when approached by Mourinho. However the ‘Special One’ was unable to pry the Spaniard’s heart from Seville as a move was just not meant to be at that point in time according to Joaquín.
In the final conversation I had with him he realised that was impossible because it never crossed my mind to leave, no matter all the money they offered me. He told me to come with him and I said ‘Jose, look, I don’t think I’m going to be happy there and I prefer to stay.’ I was in good form with Betis. I was 20 years old… If he’d come to me at a different moment in time, things would’ve undoubtedly been different.
