Real Madrid ace Eden Hazard admits Didier Drogba was key to him joining Chelsea.

In conversation with Het Laatste Nieuws, Hazard revealed how Chelsea legend Drogba pulled together his contacts in order to act as a persuader.

Knowing that Hazard played alongside Gervinho at Lille, Drogba was able to speak with the youngster via his Ivory Coast international team-mate.

"Suddenly Gervinho's phone rang in the dressing room near Lille. It was Drogba on the line. He insisted that he tell me, 'I need to talk to him'," Hazard revealed.

"Drogba said to me, 'You have to come to Chelsea'.

"At that moment I was still in doubt. Chelsea was not doing well in the Premier League. They wouldn't play Champions League the following year. [But] After that final, the choice was made quickly."

Hazard added: "I knew I would easily adapt. London, close to home, not too far from Lille. [Kevin] De Bruyne had played there, Romelu [Lukaku] was around. There were enough French speakers. I knew I would play enough. I was only sad that he, Drogba, decided to leave."