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Hazard's former Lille boss Rudi Garcia claimed in his autobiography that it was Roman Abramovich who persuaded Hazard to sign.

He allegedly promised to triple Hazard’s pay and that swayed the move after the Belgian was feeling unsure.

But Hazard says that was WRONG - and claims it was Drogba who talked him around.

Hazard said: “I didn’t want to go to Chelsea because I wanted to play the Champions League and they were sixth in the league.

“I was convinced when they won the Champions League in 2012.

“At the time, Roberto Di Matteo really wanted me, they had Juan Mata, and Oscar had been bought. I was told: ‘You’ll see, Chelsea will play football’.

“Gervinho called me and said: ‘Someone’s on the phone’. I didn’t know who it was but it was Drogba, he wanted me to sign.

“I was flattered, he was maybe the best striker in the world. In my head, I wasn’t going to sign, but in the end I was very pleased with my choice. I didn’t speak to Abramovich.

“I don’t know why coach Garcia wrote that in his book.”