Tal Ben Haim felt he could have played for Chelsea for six or seven years, only to endure a solitary disappointing season with the club.
A failed spell with Chelsea remains a major source of regret for Maccabi Tel Aviv defender Tal Ben Haim.
The 33-year-old Israel international returns to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday to begin his club's Champions League Group G campaign, eight years on from joining the reigning Premier League champion on a free transfer from Bolton Wanderers.
Ben Haim made 17 starts in all competitions for Chelsea during the 2007-08 season but failed to nail down a first-team place and was moved on to Manchester City.