‘I was crying in the dressing room’ — Super Eagles legend Yakubu laments failed Chelsea move

Former Super Eagles icon Yakubu Aiyegbeni has opened up on one of the most painful moments of his career, revealing that he came agonisingly close to joining Chelsea in 2008 before an untimely injury shattered the dream.

The Nigerian striker, widely regarded as one of the greatest African forwards to play in England, described the moment as heartbreaking.

Yakubu’s legacy in England is unquestionable. With 95 Premier League goals, he remains the highest-scoring Nigerian in the competition’s history, achieving this feat with clubs like Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, Everton, and Blackburn Rovers.

But according to him, things could have been even bigger. Speaking on the Home Turf Podcast, he revealed that Chelsea had reached the negotiation stage with Everton ahead of the 2008/09 winter window.

“I was unlucky not to play for Chelsea. I got a chance to sign for Chelsea, and then I got injured,” he said, recalling the moment everything changed.

At the time, Yakubu had already scored four goals and provided an assist that season. But a ruptured Achilles stopped everything instantly. “I ruptured my Achilles and I didn’t play for 11 months. That was the day they were negotiating a fee for me, about £15 million,” he explained.

The emotional toll was immediate. “I was crying in the dressing room because it was my time to play for one of the bigger clubs,” he admitted. Yet the setback did not break him and he returned, played for Leicester, then revived his Premier League form with Blackburn.

Despite the heartbreak, Yakubu insists he has no regrets about his career. “I think I did everything,” he said, reflecting on his long journey from Israel to the Premier League.

Known for his power, composure, and ruthless finishing, the striker terrorised defenders even while playing for mid-table sides.

Still, the thought lingers: what if he had worn Chelsea blue? Given how prolific he was, many believe he could have reached even greater heights.

But Yakubu’s story remains a powerful reminder of resilience and proof that even a shattered dream could not stop him from becoming a legend.