José Mourinho on signing Didier Drogba for Chelsea:
"In 2003, I coached Porto and we faced Marseille in the Champions League. That evening, Drogba scored and celebrated his goal as if it were his last, the atmosphere at the Stade Vélodrome went crazy, the noise was deafening."
"At half-time, I passed him in the tunnel and said to him: "I don't have the money to buy you, but do you have any cousins in Ivory Coast who can play like you?".
"He laughed, hugged me and said: "One day you will be in a club that can buy me."
"6 months later, I signed for Chelsea... I had several options, but I arrived and said: "I want Didier Drogba". Some people had doubts, wondering about Didier: "Why this one?", "Why not that one?", "Are you sure he will adapt to the Premier League?" Is he really that good?".
" Despite these questions, I repeated "I want Didier Drogba."
"Eventually, Didier became a legend at Chelsea. Those goals have brought him titles and accolades, but what sticks with me are the countless stories we have together."