Jose Mourinho has revealed what he said to Roman Abramovich before signing Didier Drogba from Marseille.
The Ivorian striker was one of Mourinho's first signings at Stamford Bridge and would go on to score 157 goals for the club.
But Abramovich wasn't full convinced until Mourinho stepped in.
"Drogba is the kind of guy who is so loyal that he never forgot that I took him from Marseille to the Premier League, where he was not even expected, because he didn't start very young at that level," he told beIN SPORTS.
"He had already played for Guingamp, Marseille, Le Mans, so when I took him to Chelsea I remember clearly Abramovich was asking me, 'Who? Who do you want as a striker?'
"With all the big names in Europe at that time I said Drogba. 'Who is he? Where's he playing?' (I said) 'Mr Abramovich – pay. Pay, and don't speak.'
"And Didier was an iconic player for Chelsea, for the Premier League."