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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho's bold comment to Abramovich to seal huge Chelsea transfer
Didier Drogba would become a Chelsea legend after his move from Marseille in 2004, but Jose Mourinho has revealed how he had to bravely convince Roman Abramovich to sign him Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho once boldly told ex-club owner Roman Abramovich to simply "pay and don't speak" for Blues legend Didier Drogba. Chelsea signed the Ivorian from Marseille for £24million in July 2004, and ended up with a Stamford Bridge hero. With Abramovich's financial revolution at Chelsea gathering pace at the time, Mourinho instructed his employer that he must have the powerful striker in his ranks. And he did not have time for the Russian's questions, risking his standing with the billionaire. "[Roman] Abramovich was asking me, 'Who do you want for the striker?' All the big names in Europe at that time, I told 'Drogba,'" Mourinho relayed. "(Abramovich asked) 'Who is he? Where does he play? Where is he playing?' (I replied) 'Mr Abramovich, pay. Pay and don't speak'. And Didier was an iconic player for Chelsea, for the Premier League." True to Mourinho's insistence, Drogba illustrated his extraordinary talent right off the bat by netting 16 goals despite battling injuries in his inaugural season. He went on to win the Premier League on three occasions, four FA Cups and the Champions League in his first stint at the club. The Ivorian icon eventually moved to Shanghai Shenhua after eight seasons, but he didn't last long in the Chinese Super League. He quickly made his way to European football with Galatasaray, reports Football London. "I played [against] him [Drogba] when I was in Madrid and he was with [Wesley] Sneijder in Galatasaray - they almost killed me, but they didn't and he was fantastic also for Galatasaray," Mourinho added. "Then he came back to Chelsea and I told him, 'You are not number one anymore, but I need you here to help me with the team, with the more experienced players, with the [Eden] Hazards, with the Willians, with the young guys'. He was phenomenal again. There are players with their character and personality, and they are important from day one in their career." In an interview with BBC Football Focus in 2018, Drogba revealed that Mourinho's admiration was reciprocated. "He changed my life, he changed the story of my family," said Drogba. "He told me if you want to be the best, you have to come and play with one of the best teams in the world and one of the best managers in the world… no, the best manager in the world. Everyone was saying £24m was a lot of money. People doubted. When I left, I think the way everyone reacted, I think I covered the investment." In two spells with Chelsea, Drogba, now 47, scored an incredible 164 goals in 381 games. His legend is cemented with the Ivory Coast star also winning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2006/07 and 2009/10. After his second spell in West London, he wrapped up his career with MLS sides Montreal Impact and then with Phoenix Rising in 2018.
Sinar Daily
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
JDT legends Safiq Rahim, Farizal Marlias bid farewell to Southern Tigers
The Johor-born duo are widely regarded as legends, not only for their on-field success but also for their leadership and influence within the club. 18 Jun 2025 12:13pm Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have bid farewell to the club after years of dedication to the Southern Tigers. Photo: Facebook: Johor Southern Tigers JOHOR BAHRU - Johor Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have bid farewell to the club after years of dedication to the Southern Tigers. The club announced the duo's departure via a tribute on its official Facebook page, recognising their years of commitment, leadership and achievements that helped shape JDT into a dominant force in Malaysian and regional football. Safiq, 37, joined JDT in 2013 and has been instrumental in the team's success, including captaining the side to the historic 2015 AFC Cup victory, the first time an East Asian club clinched the prestigious continental title. Over the course of 270 appearances, the attacking midfielder netted 59 goals and provided 68 assists, helping the club secure an impressive list of honours - nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups and one AFC Cup. Over the course of 270 appearances, Safiq netted 59 goals and provided 68 assists, helping the club secure an impressive list of honours - nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups, and one AFC Cup. Photo: Facebook: Johor Southern Tigers Farizal, 38, who donned the JDT jersey in 2015, on the other hand, established himself as one of the country's finest goalkeepers, keeping 102 clean sheets in 222 appearances. His tenure saw him win 10 league titles, nine Charity Shields, five Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups and the historic AFC Cup in 2015. The Johor-born duo are widely regarded as legends, not only for their on-field success but also for their leadership and influence within the club. Yesterday, JDT confirmed the release of 11 players ahead of the 2025-2026 M-League season through a post on social media. Among those released were goalkeepers Farizal Marlias and Izham Tarmizi, as well as midfield legend Safiq Rahim. The Southern Tigers also parted ways with seven foreign players, Jordi Amat, Jese Rodriguez, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Alvaro Gonzalez, Roque Mesa, and Anselmo de Moraes, as the club looks to refresh its squad for the upcoming campaign. The eleventh departure is Ramadhan Saifullah, who has completed a permanent transfer to Kuching City FC, officially bringing his journey with the Southern Tigers to a close. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
JDT legends Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias bid farewell
JOHOR Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have bid farewell to the club after years of dedication to the Southern Tigers. The club announced the duo's departure via a tribute on its official Facebook page, recognising their years of commitment, leadership, and achievements that helped shape JDT into a dominant force in Malaysian and regional football. Safiq, 37, joined JDT in 2013 and has been instrumental in the team's success, including captaining the side to the historic 2015 AFC Cup victory, the first time an East Asian club clinched the prestigious continental title. Over the course of 270 appearances, the attacking midfielder netted 59 goals and provided 68 assists, helping the club secure an impressive list of honours - nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups, and one AFC Cup. Farizal, 38, who donned the JDT jersey in 2015, on the other hand, established himself as one of the country's finest goalkeepers, keeping 102 clean sheets in 222 appearances. His tenure saw him win 10 league titles, nine Charity Shields, five Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups and the historic AFC Cup in 2015. The Johor-born duo are widely regarded as legends, not only for their on-field success but also for their leadership and influence within the club. Yesterday, JDT confirmed the release of 11 players ahead of the 2025–2026 M-League season through a post on social media. Among those released were goalkeepers Farizal Marlias and Izham Tarmizi, as well as midfield legend Safiq Rahim. The Southern Tigers also parted ways with seven foreign players, Jordi Amat, Jese Rodriguez, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Alvaro Gonzalez, Roque Mesa, and Anselmo de Moraes, as the club looks to refresh its squad for the upcoming campaign. The eleventh departure is Ramadhan Saifullah, who has completed a permanent transfer to Kuching City FC, officially bringing his journey with the Southern Tigers to a close.
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Old-timer Safiq's stint ends with JDT as club look for fresh faces
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have bid farewell to the club after years of dedication to the Southern Tigers. The club announced the duo's departure via a tribute on their official Facebook page, recognising their years of commitment, leadership, and achievements that helped shape JDT into a dominant force in Malaysian and regional football. Safiq, 37, joined JDT in 2013 and has been instrumental in the team's success, including captaining the side to the historic 2015 AFC Cup victory, the first time an East Asian club clinched the prestigious continental title. Over the course of 270 appearances, the attacking midfielder netted 59 goals and provided 68 assists, helping the club secure an impressive list of honours - nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups, and one AFC Cup. Farizal, 38, who donned the JDT jersey in 2015, on the other hand, established himself as one of the country's finest goalkeepers, keeping 102 clean sheets in 222 appearances. His tenure saw him win 10 league titles, nine Charity Shields, five Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups and the historic AFC Cup in 2015. The Johor-born duo are widely regarded as legends, not only for their on-field success but also for their leadership and influence within the club. On Monday, JDT confirmed the release of 11 players ahead of the 2025-2026 M-League season through a post on social media. The others released were Izham Tarmizi, Ramadhan Saifullah and seven foreign players, Jordi Amat, Jese Rodriguez, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Alvaro Gonzalez, Roque Mesa, and Anselmo de Moraes, as the club look to refresh its squad for the upcoming campaign. — Bernama
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
JDT legends Safiq Rahim, Farizal Marlias bid farewell to SOUTHERN TIGERS
JOHOR Darul Ta'zim FC (JDT) stalwarts Safiq Rahim and Farizal Marlias have bid farewell to the club after years of dedication to the Southern Tigers. The club announced the duo's departure via a tribute on its official Facebook page, recognising their years of commitment, leadership, and achievements that helped shape JDT into a dominant force in Malaysian and regional football. Safiq, 37, joined JDT in 2013 and has been instrumental in the team's success, including captaining the side to the historic 2015 AFC Cup victory, the first time an East Asian club clinched the prestigious continental title. Over the course of 270 appearances, the attacking midfielder netted 59 goals and provided 68 assists, helping the club secure an impressive list of honours - nine Malaysia Super League titles, seven Charity Shields, four Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups, and one AFC Cup. Farizal, 38, who donned the JDT jersey in 2015, on the other hand, established himself as one of the country's finest goalkeepers, keeping 102 clean sheets in 222 appearances. His tenure saw him win 10 league titles, nine Charity Shields, five Malaysia Cups, four FA Cups and the historic AFC Cup in 2015. The Johor-born duo are widely regarded as legends, not only for their on-field success but also for their leadership and influence within the club. Yesterday, JDT confirmed the release of 11 players ahead of the 2025–2026 M-League season through a post on social media. Among those released were goalkeepers Farizal Marlias and Izham Tarmizi, as well as midfield legend Safiq Rahim. The Southern Tigers also parted ways with seven foreign players, Jordi Amat, Jese Rodriguez, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Alvaro Gonzalez, Roque Mesa, and Anselmo de Moraes, as the club looks to refresh its squad for the upcoming campaign. The eleventh departure is Ramadhan Saifullah, who has completed a permanent transfer to Kuching City FC, officially bringing his journey with the Southern Tigers to a close.
