Gerrard was RIGHT to snub Chelsea, admits Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Steven Gerrard made the correct decision when he decided to stay at Liverpool instead of joining the Blues back in 2005.

Liverpool hero Gerrard, who will finally leave Anfield after 17 years in the summer to join LA Galaxy, at one point looked all set for a switch to Stamford Bridge, even handing in a transfer request on Merseyside.

He quickly performed a u-turn, though, signing a new contract with the Reds and although he now looks likely to end his career without winning a Premier League title, Mourinho believes Gerrard made the right choice in the end.

"He [Gerrard] is a historical player for Liverpool, a historical player for the Premier League and an opponent I have always admired and respected," Mourinho said.

"We did everything to try [to sign him] and it was almost there. I was dreaming of [Claude] Makelele, Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard in midfield.

"We were playing in a proper triangle without a number 10 and playing Maka in front of the defenders. Me, Mr Abramovich and [former Chelsea chief executive] Peter Kenyon at that time, we dreamed of that.

"His people were open to him joining a top side like Chelsea. But to me personally he never said he would come. Never.

"He [Gerrard] was always a red and I think the decision was right."