Having joined Chelsea in July 2002, the club's director of football operations David Barnard, has seen some things in his time.
As club secretary, Barnard is one of the Blues' most important football administrators, bearing responsibility – among other roles – for the signing of new players.
But amidst over 3,000 players that Barnard has seen arrive at Stamford Bridge and their associated negotiations, one transfer stands out as the most complicated and dangerous deal that Barnard has negotiated during his time at the west London club.
Speaking to London Is Blue Podcast, the executive shared a story that typified the difficulties that club secretaries had to go to secure the services of their desired transfers in the pre-internet era.