AS Roma defender Mehdi Benatia has recalled when he turned down an offer from Chelsea.

The Morocco international trialled with Chelsea before launching a successful career in Italy with Udinese.

"I had three or four days testing in London. I lived with Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba. They were a great team, but I was not prepared to go there.

"I was offered a three-year contract but was fine in Marseille and the idea of going abroad scared me.

"It was the same Drogba who told Jose Mourinho he should sign me. We knew eachother from our time at Guingamp and he told the coach that I was good."