A former north London derby star chose Tottenham over Arsenal, despite talks with Arsene Wenger.
Midfielder Didier Zokora made the move to Spurs from Saint-Etienne for £8.2million in the summer of 2006 following an impressive performance for Ivory Coast at that year’s World Cup in Germany. At the time, Zokora was also on the radar of the Gunners, who had just edged out their local rivals for a spot in the Champions League.
Just two years prior, Arsenal had been crowned Premier League champions and were on the brink of moving to the Emirates Stadium. However, despite engaging in discussions with Wenger, Zokora was resolute that he wanted to play under Martin Jol.
“When I signed for Spurs, Arsenal also wanted me,” he once revealed to the Telegraph. “I spoke with Arsene after the World Cup but I preferred to come to Spurs because it gave me a good option for my life. I am very happy.”
Arguably, his decision paid off as Zokora is one of the few players who can boast of winning a major trophy with Spurs in recent times, the 2008 League Cup. Meanwhile, Arsenal were in the early stages of a nine-year trophy drought which didn’t end until the 2014 FA Cup final victory over Hull City.
Zokora’s form at Tottenham led to links with Real Madrid, but he was content to stay put, having signed a new long-term contract in 2008. He said: “Everybody knows Real Madrid wanted me but I signed a new contract for this club and, if they want me, I stay.
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“The club needs me, my life is here. Real are one of the best clubs in the world so that is good for me, no? That means I am not a bad player!”
Despite that stance, it wasn’t long before Zokora’s time at Spurs came to a close after he found himself out of the starting line-up. He moved to Sevilla in the summer of 2009 and remained in Spain for two seasons before stints in Turkey, India and Indonesia as his playing career wound down.
Now 43, Zokora has returned to his homeland and was most recently the assistant manager at AFAD Djekanou.
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