Chelsea had to pay £40 million to AS Monaco for Tiemoue Bakayoko’s services but as much as the sum was, that was not the only reason why the midfielder signed for Chelsea.
The 22-year old revealed it was the successful careers of Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba, two Chelsea legends, who had the biggest influence on his decision to join Chelsea.
Bakayoko completed the long awaited deal on Saturday after completing his medicals and in his interview with the club’s offial website, he revealed his biggest influence in his career.
Makelele helped me greatly. When he arrived at Monaco I wasn’t a very, very good player, but I had a lot of discussions with him, he gave me a lot of advice, and he allowed me to play my style of football more simply.
Drogba has had a stellar career and he managed to do so many great things, first at Marseille and then here at Chelsea. He is definitely an example I wish to follow, be it the footballer or the person himself. He showed the whole world what he was and I saw that and admired it.
Tiemoue Bakayoko, Chelsea FC
The midfield enforcer has probably made a good choice choosing Makelele as his role model and Drogba as the person he wants to emulate.
Bakayoko was signed from Monaco after he helped the principality club reach the UEFA Champions League semi final and also win the French Ligue 1.
