Former Chelsea forward Chris Sutton has revealed Leeds United tried to sign him before he moved to Stamford Bridge in 1999.
Speaking to FourFourTwo, Sutton was asked if the rumours were true that Leeds United wanted to bring him to Elland Road: “Yes they did, and in hindsight I should have gone to Leeds United. But no I’d already committed to Chelsea, and nothing was about to derail me from that. I was really looking forward to a long and illustrious career at Stamford Bridge, but it didn’t last very long in the end.”
Leeds United tried to land Sutton during a successful period for the club, when a move to the Yorkshire club could have been seen as a better career step than Chelsea. Under David O’Leary Leeds United finished third that season, two places ahead of Chelsea.
It also meant they qualified for the Champions League, and subsequently the following season they reached the semi-finals of the competition, before being eliminated by La Liga giants Valencia.
Sutton’s move to Chelsea didn’t work out, and he lasted just one season with the London club. The 44 year old scored just one Premier League goal for Chelsea in 28 games.
The former England international signed for Celtic 12 months later, and became a firm favourite with the Scottish club.
ND
