Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has revealed snubbing Liverpool in 2002 to remain in Ligue 1 because he thought a move to the Premier League was premature.
Essien disclosed former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier was keenly interested in him and invited him to Melwood – the club training centre where they had their discussion, but he was adamant on staying in France.
He rejected offers from PSG and Marseille in that period to spend his third year at Bastia where he helped them to a mid-table finish in the 2002-03 Ligue 1 season.