'I grew up watching Didier Drogba play and he was a huge idol of mine. I signed for Chelsea just after he left so I was a little bit sad that I was arriving as he was leaving, but two years later he came back.

'I’m so happy I can tell my kids that I played with him, even if it was just one season. He’s a great guy, a great leader and you always learn from the best in football. He was such a big-game player and I still speak to him.'