Jose Mourinho snubbed Ronaldinho for Didier Drogba in 2004

Thomas Freeman Yeboah 13:48 - 22 November 2018

The Manchester United boss chose Didier Drogba over Ronaldinho when he was was asked by Roman Abramovic to sign the Brazilian in his first season at Chelsea

Mourinho was handed a near-unlimited transfer budget when he took charge at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 2004.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, apparently, turned down the chance to sign superstar Ronaldinho, instead plumping for Didier Drogba, during his first spell at the club.

Reports claim Blues owner Roman Abramovich took his new manager aside and told him he could bring Ronaldinho to Chelsea.

However, Mourinho snubbed the chance to sign the two-time world player of the year in favour of Drogba.

Abramovich eventually shelled out £24million to secure the Ivorian from Marseille, who went on to become a club legend in west London.

Drogba and his new side Galatasary take on Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Ivorian stayed at the club until the summer of 2012 after helping the Blues win three league titles, four FA Cups, two league cups and, famously, the Champions League.

Drogba scored the decisive late equaliser against Bayern Munich and the winning penalty in the shootout to win the club’s first European Cup. He has now also been linked with a return to the club in the summer.