Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich – expressing his anger at how he left the club in 2004 after a season-ending injury led to his departure.
Petit, who was talking to French TV station SFR Sport 1, as reported by the Express, was known for his time at fierce London rivals Arsenal, playing 116 games and scoring 11 goals during three seasons in North London.
He then made a move to Barcelona in 2000 – but after just one season in Spain Petit joined Chelsea in a £7.5 million deal in 2001. The Frenchman was an integral member of Claudio Ranieri’s side following his transfer. But throughout the 2003-04 season Petit suffered a succession of knee injuries and as a result he only managed to make seven appearances all season.
He was subsequently released on a free from the game at the end of the season – and Petit has now opened up about what really happened between him, Abramovich ad the medical staff at the club.
I really didn’t like the way it ended in the dressing room, with the medical staff and the president [Abramovich] at Chelsea. I was even disgusted. That’s why I left and didn’t give them any news about me after that.My performances had been suffering because my knee was a mess, but I put things off. I hid the truth from the medical staff. I still had the hunger.
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