From The Sun:
‘Rio Ferdinand has revealed how he rejected a chance to join Chelsea so he could save his career. The Manchester United star, still being linked with Stamford Bridge, saw the Blues move for him in November 2000 when he decided to quit West Ham.
‘But he felt he had to escape the bright lights of the capital and joined Leeds in an £18million move.
‘Ferdinand, 26, said: “I was ready for a change. Not just in football but in life as well. I could have gone to Chelsea, yet I needed to get out of London. I was going out too much, getting in trouble and had to get away.”’