Didier Drogba: When Chelsea Legend Admitted Unhappiness at Leaving Marseille in 2004

• Ivorian legend Didier Drogba is one of Chelsea's greatest players
• He joined the London club from Olympique Marseille in 2004
• Drogba opened up on the situations surrounding the transfer

Didier Drogba finished his career as one of Chelsea’s greatest-ever players, but he could not have been if he had his wish when the London club came calling in 2004.

Drogba spent eight and half years at Stamford Bridge in two different spells, leaving the club on both occasions to a great reception by the Blues faithful.

He won four Premier League titles and scored arguably the greatest goal in the club’s history – the equaliser against Bayern Munich and the winning penalty in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final.

The Ivorian departed the club after the 2012 final but returned in January 2015 to help Jose Mourinho win another league title in the manager’s second spell at the club.

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Drogba didn't want to join Chelsea

Mourinho sanctioned a £24 million move for then 26-year-old Drogba from Olympique Marseille. Per Mirror UK, the Special One chose him despite Roman Abramovich wanting to sign Ronaldinho.

The twist in the story was Drogba admitting years later that he did not want to leave France for England and did everything possible for the move to collapse.

He disclosed this in a 2007 documentary titled ‘The Incredible Destiny of Didier Drogba’, as quoted by Daily Star.

“I was disgusted. I realised that signing for Chelsea was disgusting. It's hard to explain. It's hard to understand because, most of all, people see the financial side, or even the sporting side. But I simply wasn't happy,” he said.

He claimed the news would shock Chelsea fans, which in reality it did, getting to know one of their greatest did not fancy a move to London.

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“I even did some things that were almost absurd, in order not to go to Chelsea, such as during the medical. Going to the hospital in Paris, I was praying they would find a problem with my knee, or a problem with anything so the move would collapse,” he added.

Mourinho rates Drogba highly as one of his favourite former players and sent him a special message on his 45th birthday last year.

Drogba’s first football position

Sports Brief previously reported on Drogba starting his career as a right-back before transitioning to the number 9 role after a piece of advice from his uncle with whom he lived.

The uncle claimed forwards are seen more in training by scouts because they score goals, and it would be easier to make it than a defender.