Jose Mourinho has revealed how he convinced Roman Abramovich to sign Didier Drogba in 2004, claiming that the Chelsea owner had never even heard of the Ivorian forward.
Drogba, who was 26 at the time he joined Chelsea, was hardly a household name in 2004. However, Mourinho was adamant that Drogba was the right man for Chelsea, and he has certainly been proven right. Drogba is widely regarded as one of Chelsea's finest ever players and helped the Blues to numerous trophies during his eight years with the club.
In an interview with beIN SPORTS, Mourinho confessed that he rejected moves for some of the world's biggest strikers in favour of Drogba.
He said:
“He had already played for Guingamp, Marseille, Le Mans, so when I took him to Chelsea I remember clearly Abramovich was asking me, ‘Who? Who do you want as a striker?’
Drogba in the #UCL
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 14, 2017
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“With all the big names in Europe at that time I said Drogba. ‘Who is he? Where’s he playing?’ (I said) 'Mr Abramovich – pay. pay, and don’t speak'
“And Didier was an iconic player for Chelsea, for the Premier League."
At the time of the £24m move, Drogba was Chelsea's most expensive ever transfer and the costliest striker in the Premier League. He went on to net a total of 164 goals in his 381 appearances for the Blues, and remains one of fans' most beloved players.
Across his two spells with Chelsea, Drogba won four Premier League titles and four FA Cups, but one of the most memorable moments of his stints in West London came in the 2012 Champions League final.
Source : 90min