Former Anzhi Makhachkala team director Roberto Carlos has claimed that new Chelsea signing Samuel Eto’o can have a “damaging” effect on a dressing room.

Carlos worked with the Cameroonian at the Russian club and claimed that, after signing the striker from Inter Milan in 2011, Eto’o attempted to interfere with the former Brazil international’s work.


He said, “I’ve known Eto’o since I was 16, and from that time on he’s always been a good guy who I’ve liked a lot.
“He’s a good person, but there a part of him that thinks ‘I, and not the group’, which is really damaging.
“When a footballer, instead of playing, is interested in signing players who are his friends… it’s confusing and strange. He did everything at Anzhi, except play football.”
Carlos added, “I came to the club and in my first year we finished in the top five.
“We managed to professionalise the team. In the second year, we signed Eto’o and I had control of the team – I organised the players and worked with the coach. I put Anzhi among the best.
“With the arrival of Eto’o, with the values of everyone involved, I had some little problems in the dressing room and had to talk to the Russian players and explain why Eto’o was there.
“However, a moment arrived when Eto’o thought to interfere with my work, to control the club, taking my position and that of Guus [Hiddink, the coach].
“We talked about one thing, and then he went to the players and talked about another. That stressed me out and I warned that I would pack my bags and go.
“No one believed me because I had a four-year contract. But then I called Anzhi and came to an agreement.”