'Everyone was pushing me towards Liverpool but I chose Chelsea

Liverpool and Chelsea were once both chasing Florent Malouda with Lyon looking to push the winger towards Anfield - but he instead chose to join Jose Mourinho in London

'Everyone was pushing me towards Liverpool but I chose Chelsea - I have no regrets'

Florent Malouda had the chance to join Liverpool before opting for his move to Chelsea back in 2007.

The Frenchman was highly rated at Lyon and had a number of Europe's top clubs keeping tabs on him. Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez both made plays to land Malouda with Liverpool and the French club even agreeing a transfer fee.

Malouda though felt there were too many people trying to push him towards an Anfield switch, which didn't sit well. He didn't even discuss contract terms with the Reds and instead pursued his move to Chelsea, where he knew several players and also had the prospect of working under the Special One.

Malouda told Coin Poker : "It's true. Liverpool were really interested in signing me and I almost joined them. At the time, Rafa Benitez was the manager, and my manager at Lyon was Gerard Houllier. There were talks between the two clubs and Gerard really wanted me to join Liverpool because of his experience managing the club.

"I didn't ever agree a contract with Liverpool. Lyon and Liverpool agreed a transfer fee, but I didn't ever agree contract terms and, I felt that there were too many people trying to get involved in the deal and push me towards Liverpool, which I really didn't like.

"Chelsea came in for me and it was clear from day one that Mourinho really wanted to sign me. It was an exciting offer to have because I knew so much about the club because of Didier [Drogba] and there were also a lot of players in the squad that I knew."

Real Madrid also made an offer, but then Lyon boss Gerard Houllier made it clear to the player that operating in the Premier League would be more beneficial. Despite his Liverpool links and history, Malouda still opted for Chelsea.

Image: PA) PA)

The Frenchman would claim numerous titles whilst at Stamford Bridge but his career peaked on that famous night in 2013 as the Blues claimed Champions League glory in Munich. Malouda came off the bench as the west Londoners secured victory on penalties.

He played during a period where Chelsea regularly changed managers - and concedes he would've liked more time under Mourinho, who was axed just weeks into the season. On the flip side though he was able to work with some of the elite names in the dugout.

He said: "If I had to pick the managers that I enjoyed playing under at Chelsea, then I would have to pick Carlo Ancelotti and Guus Hiddink. They had a similar approach to management. Our time with Guus was short, but we won a trophy together with the FA Cup. It was only half a season, but I loved it."

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