Roman Abramovich claimed Tottenham was ‘worse’ than parts of Siberia before deciding to buy Chelsea

Roman Abramovich claimed Tottenham was ‘worse’ than parts of Siberia before deciding to buy Chelsea
Roman Abramovich decided to buy Chelsea instead of Tottenham Hotspur after branding the area worse than parts of Siberia.The London rivals meet in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, a game you can hear live on talkSPORT from 8pm.2

Abramovich was not pleased with what he saw in Tottenham High Road

According to claims made in a new book, the Russian multi-billionaire drove down Tottenham High Roadbefore comparing it to the remote Siberian city of Omsk where part of his industrial empire is based.Wall Street Journal football writers Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg made the startling revelation in new book‘The Club’.An excerpt read: “While his Mercedes trundled along Tottenham High Road, he looked out and said in Russian, ‘This is worse than Omsk’ – the grim Siberian outpost where he had a refinery.”The same book revealed the 52-year-old was close to buying Arsenal in 2003, but instead chose to purchase the Blues. However, he was mistakenly told the club was not for sale.2

Abramovich hoists the Champions League trophy aloft in 2012

In2003, the businessman hired Swiss bank UBS to examine the financial aspects of the Premier League as he mulled over a move.One of the conclusions was that ‘Arsenal were categorically not for sale’.However, the book claimsformer Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein believed the club’s owners would have actually sanctioned a sale if an offer came in.Instead, Abramovich bought Chelsea for 40million and led the club to the most successful period of their history. The Club: How the Premier League Became the Richest, Most Disruptive Business in Sport, by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg, 20 John Murray publishers.

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But that's a diplomatic answer - the question still remains, would a Premier League All-Stars game - say, against a top European club or against another All-Stars team from Spain - be a good idea? Personally I think it would be great entertainment and good for the exposure of the leagues/clubs involved.

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Hat-trick hero Sergio Aguero was quick off the mark again as Manchester City closed the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points with a 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

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Aleksandar Mitrovic had gone three league games without a goal prior to Tuesday's encounterFulham staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to claim a crucial victory over Brighton at Craven Cottage.Claudio Ranieri's side had trailed 2-0 at half-time, but Calum Chambers' sweetly-struck volley gave the Cottagers hope early in the second half before Aleksandar Mitrovic's brace put
Fulham 4-2 Brighton: The Cottagers net four goals in second

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BRENTFORD technical director Robert Rowan has died aged just 28. The Championship club announced the tragic news on their official Twitter account and released a statement.
Brentford FC technical director Robert Rowan dies aged 28

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Rangers defender Gareth McAuley fit to play for Northern Ireland - the veteran defender has been out for a number of weeks with a hamstring injury.
Is Northern Ireland vs Estonia on TV? Live stream, team news

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FORMER Arsenal youngster Nico Yennaris has changed his name to Li Ke and hopes to debut for China after moving to Beijing Sinobo Guoan in January. The London-born midfielder, who played with Tottenham ace Harry Kane in the Gunners academy, has become the first naturalised player to score in the Chinese Super League.
Nico Yennaris declares for China in historic first - Daily Cannon
dailycannon.com/2019/06/nico-yennaris-declares-for-china-in-historic-first/
Former Arsenal youngster Nico Yennaris has, as expected, declared for China making him the first overseas-born player to represent the Chinese national team. who goes by the Chinese name Li Ke
Former Arsenal youngster Nico Yennaris changes his name to Li

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Switzerland vs England live on talkSPORT: Free commentary stream and confirmed teams for Nations League clash 12 hours ago The Three Lions now take on Switzerland in the third place play-off after they were beaten by Portugal in their clash in Porto on Wednesday.
Portugal vs Netherlands live on talkSPORT: Free commentary

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Harry Redknapp insists Tottenham can close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool with 'one or two' signings Spurs are more than 20 points behind the top two sides in the Premier League
Harry Redknapp insists Tottenham can close the gap on

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RYAN FRASER admitted he "ain't got a clue" if he will leave Bournemouth this summer. The Scottish winger, 25, has been linked with a transfer to one of the Premier League's top six after a stellar
Transfer EXCLUSIVE Callum Wilson will make sure Arsenal

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Tottenham's injury nightmare is good news for Arsenal, says David Seaman on talkSPORT Former goalkeeper is hoping the Gunners catch up with Spurs now Harry Kane and Dele Alli have been ruled out
Arsenal.com - Homepage

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Rangers director of football Mark Allen has told talkSPORT that he can't rule out making more signings for the Gers this month. After beating Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox, Rangers went into the January

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How far every Premier League club's players have run this season

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Lukaku, Almiron and a winger? The Newcastle transfers that could happen during final week of window. Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez is desperate for the Magpies to make progress in the
Rafa Benitez Set to Quit Newcastle This Summer if January

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Liverpool predicted line up vs Wolves as Jurgen Klopp makes changes for FA Cup clash. Under-23 players Curtis Jones and Camacho, both of whom have been training with the first team for more
Wolves vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp ready to give youth a

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