Besiktas striker Demba Ba has revealed Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho urged him to stay over the summer.
After 18 months in London, Ba left Chelsea for Besiktas in search of regular first team football.
"It's hard to be a reserve, but you must always work head-on and do your best. I could have stayed at Chelsea because Mourinho told me that he did not want to lose me.
"He was impressed by my end of the season last year and he told me that this year I could find more space.
"But I preferred to take my chance at another club."
