Chelsea legend Ron 'Chopper' Harris has revealed a different side to club owner Roman Abramovich. Chopper wrote in the Daily Star: "I've got a lot of time for the bloke. Roman respects the traditions of the club and welcomed me and other old players back when we were barred by former chairman Ken Bates.

"I was at Chelsea one day and was told to stay around, 'because someone wants to meet you'. Who, I asked. 'Just wait.'

"Eventually, Roman arrived. We sat together for an hour and a half and he talked to me ­using an interpreter although his English wasn't that bad even then.

"We talked about Chelsea and he asked me what I thought should be done. I willingly gave him my views when he asked about the playing squad, the number of players a club should have, about past managers, all the sorts of things a new owner is eager to know about.

"When it was over he stood up, held out his hand and said: 'Welcome back'.

"I had been hurt by how Chelsea had treated me and others.

"No matter how long I had spent at Chelsea, how many games I played for them or whatever honours I helped bring, the club named a stand after Nigel Spackman, who had been there about 18 months and was a Liverpool supporter!

"Peter Bonetti and myself had been there for more than 20 years each.

"Since Roman arrived we now have lounges named after myself, Roy Bentley and Bobby Tambling, the people who spent their lives with Chelsea.

"I can only speak about Roman ­Abramovich the way I find him. People have their views but they don't know him.

"Every time he sees me he comes over to say hello and speaks to me and the club have ­enjoyed their most successful period under this owner, who has been a very successful ­person in his own business life.

"For me he only has the good of the club at heart."