Speaking in his first interview with the club’s official website, Papy Djilobodji has targeted similar success to one of his role models; former Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly.
Djilobodji has already drawn comparisons to the Chelsea legend as both men have an African heritage, both played for Nantes in France and have a similar defensive style. When asked if he looked up to Desailly, Djilobodji revealed that has already been given some personal advice by the former World Cup winner.
He was a great role model. I actually had the opportunity to meet him at Nantes when he came to training with my coach and he gave me some advice, telling me that now I had made it this far I had to keep working hard.
Chelsea’s new signing then went on to say that he is targeting similar success to the man that was a vital part of the team that won both the UEFA Super Cup and FA Cup in the 1998 and 1999/2000 seasons.
There is the added element that he was a defender like me, so I would love to follow in his footsteps. If I have the opportunity to see him again I will ask him questions and take whatever advice he gives and try and apply it on the field to help me move forward.
Desailly made 222 appearances for Chelsea during his time with the club, so Djilobodji has a lot of work to do if he is to match the impact Desailly made. Although he is far from the finished article, the 26-year old has the potential, and plenty of time to improve at Chelsea, which is exactly what he targets to do:
I am a defender and I want to do my job well, which is to defend well and to not let things get past me. Technically-speaking I am making a lot of progress. From this point onwards I am going to be looking for advice from the manager and implement what he advises me to do and what my team-mates want me to do.
Although Djilobodji was not selected in Chelsea’s 25 man UEFA Champions League squad, he will be hoping to impress Jose Mourinho if given the chance in the Premier League or other cup competitions this season.
