Chelsea star Eden Hazard has revealed that Didier Drogba convinced him to join the Blues in the summer of 2012, just after they won the Champions League.
The Belgium international was on the radar of the top clubs across Europe as Manchester United were the front runners in signing him from Lille, before Chelsea showed interest in securing his services.
He has already admitted in the past that he rejected a chance to play under former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson, despite holding talks with the legendary manager.
However, the 24-year-old said it was Drogba’s call that made him convince to join the West London club. Hazard also said that he was flattered when the veteran striker had called him to sign for Chelsea three years ago.
“I didn’t want to go to Chelsea because I wanted to play the Champions League and they were sixth in the league,” Hazard told the Daily Mirror.
“I was convinced when they won the Champions League in 2012. At the time, Roberto Di Matteo really wanted me, they had Juan Mata, and Oscar had been bought. I was told: ‘You’ll see, Chelsea will play football’.”
“Gervinho called me and said: ‘Someone’s on the phone’. I didn’t know who it was but it was Drogba, he wanted me to sign.”
“I was flattered, he was maybe the best striker in the world. In my head, I wasn’t going to sign, but in the end I was very pleased with my choice. I didn’t speak to Abramovich. I don’t know why coach Garcia wrote that in his book,” the Blues star concluded.
Hazard has been instrumental in helping Chelsea win the League Cup and the Premier League title this season. He has scored 14 goals and managed eight assists in 34 league appearances.
The forward’s brilliant display has seen him being named PFA Player of the Year. Since joining Chelsea, he has won the Premier League, League Cup and the Europa League with the Stamford Bridge outfit.
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