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Harry: Chelsea stars Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois "wanted to join Tottenham"
What might have been: Redknapp could have had Mourinho's Belgian stars
James Benge
Published: 20 February 2015
Updated: 09:06, 20 February 2015
Chelsea stars Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois could have been making a name for themselves in north London, according to former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp, who was in charge at White Hart Lane between 2008 and 2012, told Talksport that both Belgians had wanted to join him at Tottenham before heading to Stamford Bridge.
He said: “I was with Hazard in Paris, four hours I spent with him. He wanted to come to Tottenham, but the deal dragged on and didn’t happen."
Since signing for Chelsea for a £32 million fee in 2012 Hazard has established himself as one of Chelsea’s best players, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2014.
Courtois took longer to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, spending three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid before returning to the Bridge this season. He has swiftly established himself as Jose Mourinho’s first choice keeper, with a star performance against Paris St Germain the latest in a string of well-received showings from the 22-year-old Belgian.
Redknapp, however, claims that he could have acquired the stopper before he left Genk for Chelsea, saying: "The goalkeeper, Courtois, we had him for next to nothing when he was 17 and that was another deal that dragged on forever and we didn't get it over the line. He should have been at Tottenham.”
What might have been: Redknapp could have had Mourinho's Belgian stars
James Benge
Published: 20 February 2015
Updated: 09:06, 20 February 2015
Chelsea stars Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois could have been making a name for themselves in north London, according to former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp, who was in charge at White Hart Lane between 2008 and 2012, told Talksport that both Belgians had wanted to join him at Tottenham before heading to Stamford Bridge.
He said: “I was with Hazard in Paris, four hours I spent with him. He wanted to come to Tottenham, but the deal dragged on and didn’t happen."
Since signing for Chelsea for a £32 million fee in 2012 Hazard has established himself as one of Chelsea’s best players, winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 2014.
Courtois took longer to establish himself at Stamford Bridge, spending three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid before returning to the Bridge this season. He has swiftly established himself as Jose Mourinho’s first choice keeper, with a star performance against Paris St Germain the latest in a string of well-received showings from the 22-year-old Belgian.
Redknapp, however, claims that he could have acquired the stopper before he left Genk for Chelsea, saying: "The goalkeeper, Courtois, we had him for next to nothing when he was 17 and that was another deal that dragged on forever and we didn't get it over the line. He should have been at Tottenham.”
