By Chris Wright
One of the most sought-after defenders in European football following a fine season in Serie A, Roma’s Mehdi Benatia has found himself linked with scores of potential suitors this season with a summer move to Manchester United heavily mooted to be on the cards.
However, Benatia almost wound up in the Premier League several years ago, though a near-move to Chelsea eventually fell through after the 27-year-old Moroccan centre-half set up some trial living arrangements in London with a couple of the Blues’ French-speaking players while he was on trial at the club during Jose Mourinho’s first stint in charge.
It would appear he didn’t enjoy himself much, with Makelele’s home-brewed wine taking up most of the kitchen work-top space and Drogba singing show-tunes at full volume at all hours of the night, and eventually ended up deciding he was better off staying put in Marseille.
“I did a test of three or four days in London. I lived with Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele,” Benatia is quoted as saying by Italian site Calcio Mercato.
“They were a great team but I did not feel ready to go. I was offered a three-year contract but I was fine at Marseille and the idea of moving abroad scared me.”
Camp Drog says…
“Don’t tell me not to fly, I’ve simply got to. If someone takes a spill, it’s me and not you.
“Who told you you’re allowed to rain on my PARAAAAAADE!!!”