Djilobodji keen to emulate Chelsea’s African heroes

New signing Papy Djilobodji has told Chelsea’s website he wants to emulate other African players who have starred for the club.

The Senegal international defender, recently signed from Nantes, has followed in the footsteps of the likes of Didier Drogba by moving from France to Stamford Bridge.

And he said: “I am really happy about the club’s African history and it gives me a lot of pleasure to know so many great players have been at this club and have left something behind.

“Obviously I have just arrived but I want to do exactly what they’ve done. They’re role models and I want to emulate them.

“When you play at a club like this the whole of Africa is watching. I want to give it my all and create really good expectations for all my young African brothers.”

The Ghana-born Marcel Desailly, who had six years at the Bridge, also previously played for Nantes.

Djilobodji, 26, said: “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.

“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.”