"After 2005/06, I knew I had to crack on somewhere else to get more games. Spurs came in for me as Martin Jol was really fond of me. I went to Spurs' training ground, met everyone and did my medical. Apparently I had a problem with my knee, but I think [Spurs chairman] Daniel Levy was wheeling and dealing. That alerted the big boss, Roman Abramovich, and I received a call to say I had to meet him at Stamford Bridge."
"Over a coffee, Abramovich said he wanted me to sign for CSKA Moscow. I was like, 'I don't think I want to go to Russia.' And then Roman said to me, through his translator, 'Well, you’re not going to Spurs. I don’t do business with them. So, get that out of your head.' I sulked like a teenager for weeks, even though I was 23 at the time. I was disappointed, because I felt I could've made a difference in that Tottenham team."
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