Rumour: Jose Mourinho snubbed Ronaldinho in favour of Didier Drogba

Snubbed in favour of Didier Drogba?

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.

When he took charge in 2004, Mourinho was given an almost unlimited transfer budget to strengthen the areas of the squad as he wished.

Instead of signing the World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, the Portuguese Champions League winner signed Drogba from French club, Marseille.

The Blues went on to the win two consecutive Premier League titles with Drogba at the core of their success for both seasons. 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.

Chelsea face Drogba’s new side Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16 this week in the first meeting between the forward and his old club since leaving almost two years ago.