Source: Telegraph
Guus Hiddink: I nearly signed Robinho at PSV
Robinho was Chelsea's primary transfer target last summer but Manchester City's late, lucrative offer lured the Brazil international to Eastlands instead. [LNB]Guus Hiddink, Chelsea's interim coach, can sympathise: he has revealed he missed out signing Robinho when the Brazilian was still a raw but immensely promising forward at Santos. Hiddink worked extensively to bring Robinho, then 21, to PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2005, citing the success of previous Brazil stars Romario and Ronaldo in using the Dutch club as a stepping stone to greater things. [LNB] Related ArticlesPlayers urge Hiddink to stay at Chelsea[LNB]Hiddink prays for Liverpool win[LNB]Hiddink: Terry will stay at Chelsea[LNB]Robinho agent claims Chelsea negotiations[LNB]Chelsea prevent Luiz Felipe Scolari taking Premier League job this season[LNB]Chelsea's rush for Guus Hiddink shames English FA[LNB]"Robinho is a very attractive player," Hiddink said. "I had the plan when I was at PSV to sign him. I met him in Brazil and we were close. We had this plan like we had with Romario and Ronaldo before at PSV. [LNB]"Before going at that age to the big leagues it is good to go to another league where they can get used to European football on a different level. We were close to having him sign for PSV. At the last moment in came Real Madrid – and then you are outplayed, of course."[LNB]The move to Madrid ultimately proved a failure and Hiddink thinks Robinho and his like can be poorly advised in the early stages of their development. "Players must choose for their career – and I think agents and managers have the responsibility to pick out a good club for the player's career, not always the first place where the money is." [LNB]
