Tottenham broke club-record to sign Ukraine international who ignored Arsenal star’s advice

Tottenham may have Sergei Rebrov to thank for not warning his Ukrainian countryman Illia Zabarnyi towards following in his footsteps.

Rebrov may have been forgiven for harbouring bitterness in direction of Spurs after a depressing spell on the membership on the flip of the century.

The 51-year-old arrived in north London with the identical lofty tag that his fellow Ukrainian Zabarnyi has now at Bournemouth.

Rebrov’s £11million transfer from Dynamo Kyiv in 2000 was alleged to signify a brand new period for Spurs within the new millennium.

His switch smashed Tottenham’s earlier report charge of £6m that had been spent on Les Ferdinand three years prior.

Lord Alan Sugar had solely spent £23m in complete on new gamers within the 28 months from January 1998 till Rebrov’s transfer in Might 2000.

The 75-cap ahead was one of many hottest properties in Europe, having attracted critical curiosity from Arsenal and Rangers.

However talking after signing a five-year contract, Rebrov mentioned of Tottenham: “They managed to discover a widespread language with me.

“I’m trying ahead to taking part in in England. I prefer it higher than Italian soccer, though I can not clarify why.

“However at a membership like Tottenham, there is a coach (boss George Graham) who will get the strikers to run and get the ball. I’m used to that. I’ve performed like that on a regular basis.

“We (my spouse and I) have been all set to go to Glasgow to take a look round, however there was an issue with the switch and we could not full the deal.

“Arsenal did not do a deal as a result of they’re taking part in within the UEFA Cup and all their switch insurance policies will probably be determined after the Cup ultimate.”

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Rebrov, alongside striker companion Andriy Shevchenko, had helped set up Dynamo Kyiv as a potent power in European soccer.

Whereas the latter discovered an ideal dwelling in Milan, many felt, even on the time, that Tottenham was not the precise membership for Rebrov.

Together with from his fellow Ukrainian worldwide Oleg Luzhny at Arsenal, who mentioned he ought to ‘be a part of a much bigger and higher membership’.

The BBC World Service interviewed prime Ukrainian journalist Fidel Pavlenko, who said: “In Ukraine, most individuals suppose Rebrov is a greater goalscorer than Shevchenko.

“He’s scored extra objectives for Kyiv, extra objectives for the Ukrainian nationwide aspect and extra objectives within the Champions League than Shevchenko.”

“Frankly it’s a step down,” Pavlenko added. “Again in Ukraine folks suppose he deserved one thing larger. He’s been concerned in European soccer for the previous seven or eight years and now he’s ended up at Spurs.”

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Rebrov ignored all recommendation to pen a £25,000-a-week deal, however claimed 4 years later that the transfer wasn’t his resolution.

“In Ukraine, it is a very totally different state of affairs than in England. You have not a alternative – the chairman of the membership has a alternative,” he informed the Guardian.

“Arsenal have been making some gives, however Tottenham gave extra, and the chairman of Kiev selected Tottenham. That is it, that is why I got here.”

Rebrov endured a gradual begin to life in England, scoring 9 occasions in as many appearances (29) that Shevchenko had objectives in his debut Serie A season.

Lower than 12 months after his arrival, Daniel Levy, the managing director of Enic, who purchased Spurs from Sugar, took over the membership.

Considered one of his first actions was to emulate The Apprentice star by firing supervisor Graham and changing him with Glenn Hoddle.

First workforce alternatives for Rebrov dried up, and even an 18-month mortgage spell with Fenerbahce did not restore his broken popularity.

He managed simply 4 objectives in 38 appearances for the Turkish giants, and he was shipped out to West Ham within the Championship in 2004.

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Rebrov introduced his White Hart Lane to a detailed, having simply managed to hit double-digit figures in his 60 outings for Tottenham.

Regardless of this, Rebrov has publicly said he has no regrets over his resolution to go away behind his homeland and be a part of the Lilywhites.

“I do not want I had by no means joined Spurs,” mentioned Rebrov, as per the Night Customary, “I’ve plenty of buddies there and the membership should not an issue for me.

“I simply didn’t have relationship with the chairman, Daniel Levy, that’s all.”

Levy will probably be hoping Zabarnyi by no means reads that final half, having thrown his hat within the ring for the centre-back’s signature.

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Spurs are able to rival European champions Paris Saint-Germain for the centre-back’s signature this summer time.

Nonetheless, Bournemouth should not beneath strain to promote the Ukrainian and would demand a considerable charge.

Final month, talkSPORT reported that they rejected a £55million bid from PSG for the 22-year-old.

In a full circle second, Rebrov is now Ukraine’s supervisor in command of Zabarnyi for the nation’s nationwide aspect.

But it surely’s unlikely Levy will ask to place in phrase for him…