Former Chelsea legend Michael Essien has disclosed that former Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba persuaded him to join the Blues and snub Manchester United.
Essien who was in the best form of his life when he was playing for Lyon in France was wanted by many clubs in Europe. However, due to Drogba’s intervention, he decided to join Chelsea.
But the former Ghanaian star said he was in France with Malouda when Didier Drogba called Malouda. Malouda spoke to Drogba and the Ivorian realized that he will succeed at Stamford Bridge.
“It was not easy but I remember the first time I spoke to Jose. I went to Malouda’s house for a barbeque and then during the barbeque. ”Drogba called him and he and Drogba started speaking because they are very close,” Essien explained.
Essien speaking with South African reporter Carol Tshabalala said it was a “tough decision for him to make then”.
“It was not easy but I remember the first time I spoke to Jose. I went to Malouda’s house for a barbeque and then during the barbeque.
— Legit.ng (@legitngnews) May 23, 2020
”Drogba called him and he and Drogba started speaking because they are very close,” Essien explained.https://t.co/M751dGIQSU
38-year-old joined Chelsea from Lyon and helped the club win 2006 and 2010 English primer League and three English FA Cup as well as one League Cup. He won the UEFA Champions League in 2012.
The 2006 Africa Footballer of the year left West London to Join AC Milan in 2014 in the Serie A.
