“Imagine a midfield of me, Toure & Essien” — Mikel reacts to Yaya’s near Chelsea move

By Monsurah Olatunji

Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure has revealed that he came close to joining Chelsea at the peak of his career, thanks to strong persuasion from fellow Ivorian and Blues icon Didier Drogba.

Speaking on the Obi One Podcast hosted by former Chelsea teammate Mikel Obi, Toure opened up about his near move to Stamford Bridge after leaving Barcelona.

The four-time African Footballer of the Year recalled how Drogba pushed hard to get him to West London.

“Didier is my big brother,” Toure said. “He said to me, ‘Yaya, come to Chelsea, it’s the place for you.’ He really wanted me there.”

Despite holding talks with the club, Toure ultimately joined Manchester City, where he would become a three-time Premier League champion and a central figure in the club’s rise to dominance.

“City had a clearer vision,” he explained. “They made me their top priority and wanted to build the team around me. Chelsea had quality everywhere, and their message was more like, ‘If you come, great; if not, we’re fine.’”

Mikel, amused by the thought, replied, “Imagine a midfield of me, you, and Essien. I would be on the bench; you were going to play.”

Toure laughed, adding, “It would have been crazy, man! We would have controlled everything.”

The hypothetical trio—Mikel, Toure, and Essien—would have combined power, tactical intelligence, and technical brilliance, creating one of the most dominant midfields in Premier League history.

Today, Toure has shifted his focus to coaching. The former Barcelona and Man City star is currently serving as assistant coach of the Saudi Arabian national team, following a glittering playing career that spanned over a decade at the highest level.