Samuel Eto’o has admitted that he turned down the chance of a move to Chelsea as he is not a fan of Jose Mourinho.
The Cameroon international was a target for the Premiership champions in the summer, but Eto’o declined the offer, principally because he was not enamoured with Mourinho.
“I stay at Barcelona because I still feel at ease in that club and I know that league,” Eto’o told L’Equipe. “I built myself here.
“Beyond the millions I could have earned at Chelsea, I would have to discover a new culture and force my family to adapt to a new life. That was complex.
“Moreover, Mourinho has a way of talking that is not necessarily pleasant. I told him that to his face in the tunnel last season in the Champions League return match at Chelsea.
“But Mourinho can become my coach one day.”
Eto’o also dismissed suggestions that he would lose his place at Camp Nou if Barcelona signed Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
He added: “I don’t care if Thierry Henry could come to Barca, or if [Diego] Maradona would make his comeback here.
“If Henry comes it is nice for him. I am here to play. To me that doesn’t change anything.
“I am here to play and as long as I will be here, I will play.
“Do you think Thierry Henry could make me leave? Henry could also come here and be on the bench. Do you think it would be logical that I would stay on the bench?”
Subscribe to World Soccer – The essential football magazine
