Arsenal's Abou Diaby says he could have joined Chelsea
Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby has revealed that he turned down fellow English Premier League giants Chelsea to join the Gunners.
The France international was courted by several clubs after breaking through at French Ligue 1 outfit Auxerre, with then-Blues boss Jose Mourinho keen to take him to Stamford Bridge.
However, the chance to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Partick Vieira as well as a warning from Lassana Diarra — then a Chelsea player — led to him opting to join Arsenal instead.
The 24-year-old told French newspaper L’Eqipe that the lack of first-team opportunities put him off the notion that he might join Chelsea.
No guarantees from Mourinho
"Did Chelsea try to sign me in 2005? Yes, but it was very complex. I visited the facilities but when I was there I had a chat with Lassana Diarra and he told me: 'Abou, I have not played for three months'.
That made me hesitate. I even had a chat with Jose Mourinho. He was very frank and told me: 'I have a big team, with big players and I can't guarantee you anything, but we do want you',” Diaby said.
He added that the chance to link up with French players Robert Pires and Thierry Henry helped him to make his decision.
"Meanwhile, Arsene Wenger told me that he was looking for a midfielder to replace Vieira, that I had the same profile and that I would play. Also, at that time, Arsenal had the French connection. Robert
Pires and Thierry Henry were there, and that makes you dream. There were choices to make and Arsenal wanted me. They seemed exciting to me," he said.
Diaby also said that he had high ambitions, and one day wants to win the Ballon d’Or, the award given to the European Footballer of the Year as voted by prominent football journalists.
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