Marseille failed with Drogba approach

Marseille enquired about the availability of Chelsea striker Didier Drogba before finally signing Brandao in the January transfer window.

Drigba: Former OM star
Drigba: Former OM star

Drogba, had a year at the Stade Velodrome in the 2003/04 campaign, was Marseille owner Robert Louis-Dreyfus' chief target this month.

But Louis-Dreyfus' audacious attempt to sign the player the Mediterranean side sold to Chelsea for around £24million in the summer of 2004 was quickly rebuffed by the Premier League giants.

"I called (Chelsea chief executive) Peter Kenyon to sound him out about Didier Drogba," Louis-Dreyfus told French daily L'Equipe.

"But they absolutely do not want to let him go."

Drogba has been axed from Chelsea's side to face Southend in the FA Cup tonight, becoming the first victim of Luiz Felipe Scolari's get-tough policy following their 3-0 mauling by Manchester United on Sunday.

The striker was a favourite when he was at Marseille, where he won France's Player of the Year award in his only season at the club.

Louis-Dreyfus also revealed that Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero and Adriano, Inter Milan's Brazil international, were targets of his but admitted the high-profile pair were also out of Marseille's range.

Brandao should complete his move from Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday once he passes a medical. The clubs agreed terms on the transfer on Tuesday.

Your Comments

greenlough (Chelsea fan)

"Simon

I agree with your comment with regards to ballack and Essien is sorely missed.

Gotta get that ball spread out wide. Take your comments bout the full backs but when they lose pssession up field we have no one with any pace for cover.

Think we would be better shoring up the back lines, the sooner the clean sheets start coming again the more confideince it will breed and the goals will hopefully start coming again.

Dont know where Deco can fit into this team either, he had a good couple of months spell when the warm weather was here but when its cold and freezing like it is now so is he!"

simonwatson (Chelsea fan)

"Greenlough you have got it all in a nut shell mate.

Except I would add we have a flying winger in Sinclair, but hes out on loan!!!!! One for the right would be nice though although with our full backs we do not neccasarily need two wingers. I think the tean carry Ballack and long for Essien to be fit and then the German can F..k off as well."

VILLLALLTHEWAY (Aston Villa fan)

"I just feel its unfair u lot blame drogba soley, and u all seem to forgive players like lampard who help ur club to ransom over his contract, if he loved chelsea so much at the age of 30 he knows he dont deserve 150000 a week for the next 5 years. Also even as a write this ballack has scored, he generally is aweful but gets away with it. Joe cole is hot and cold. To be honest i like chelsea, but u always blame certain people and let certain people off. Part from players i think peter kenyon and some of ur managers have brought very poorly for chelsea, u never seem to invest it hot young players just old has beens. Instead of 30mil on shevchenko u should of got aguerro for exmaple."

chelsea_till_i_die (Chelsea fan)

"VILLLALLTHEWAY, Aston Villa fan. what you dont get mate is that he creates so much drama in the club he is not worth it! He had one and a half good seasons, the rest he has been average. If you want i would easily sell him to Villa, £14 million would do me. Kenyon is dragging chelsea down because he is stupid and ignorant! Just like he buggered united around! "

greenlough (Chelsea fan)

"Get the bad apple out of team. If he dont wanna be there let him f .. k off somewhere else. If he thinks Jose would have him instead of Ibrahimovic he must surely be on cloud cuckoo land.Getting someone to part with any major amount of money for him I think would be very difficult. When a player starts to think the club he is playing for and the fans OWE HIM! then its time to go.F . . k off now So we can get our season back on TRACK and hopefully start managing to keep clean sheets and scoring a few.I think that we are really desprate for 2 flying wingers to give us some width and penetration which is now sadly lacking. Someone like we got rid off Robben and Wright Phillips!. Frankie boy has no balls to chase onto anymore due to us not creating any sort of chances. Surely the Hierarchy can see what we are lacking or am I just being STUPID."

VILLLALLTHEWAY (Aston Villa fan)

"legseleven i think u make a silly comment about one of your best players, if you dont want him tell ur club to give drogba to the villa, because ill take him any day."

jamez2000 (Liverpool fan)

"Did the phone call go "So how much is he? Right ok then I better leave it and buy someone we can actually afford. Bye.""

legseleven (Chelsea fan)

"Just shows what an idiot Kenyon is then doesn't it? Get some money for the wastaspace now you fool you... and then buy someone half decent..."

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