Frenchman says he had panic when signing for Barcelona – Tried to join Fulham instead

Philippe Christanval spent the last few years of his career at Fulham, having previously played for the likes of Barcelona, Marseille and AS Monaco.

He spent three seasons at Fulham, playing less than 40 games. Despite big predictions from Chris Coleman when the transfer happened, including claims Christanval could be a long term Fulham captain, it wasn’t the most impressive of stints.

The Frenchman didn’t have the longest career after retiring at the age of 30, and in an interview with Ouest France, he spoke about his career choices and his time at the four clubs.

Now working in real estate, Christanval revealed he could have joined Fulham before he joined Barcelona and after a panic over the Camp Nou move he tried to make that happen.

“I had a big hot flush, just before signing. I had called Jean Tigana, he was advising me at the time and was coaching Fulham. 

“I was afraid I wouldn’t have what it takes for Barça, so I asked him if it wouldn’t be better for me to go to Fulham. 

“He told me that it wasn’t financially possible and that Barcelona was the logical next step for my career.”

The former defender also spoke about why he retired early, having hung up his boots after his stint at Craven Cottage.

He said: “I was mentally and physically exhausted, with knee problems. And I arrived at Clairefontaine at 12, it had been almost 20 years, there was weariness.”

Perhaps an earlier move to Fulham rather than Barcelona would have seen things work out differently.

He might have played much more regularly than he did for Barcelona, where he spent two seasons and never really made a mark. It could have potentially helped him fulfil the promise that he once had at Monaco.