Manchester United star Eric Bailly has revealed Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and Jose Mourinho’s old foe Sergio Ramos were his footballing idols.
The Ivory Coast international has established himself as a key component of United’s new-look defence following his £30million move from Villarreal last summer.
Bailly admitted he found the adjustment to Premier League football tough going at first but sought inspiration from his compatriot Drobga, and the Real Madrid skipper Ramos who had numerous run-ins with the Special One during their time together at the Bernabeu.
‘When I came to Manchester, it was a bigger step from when I was in Villarreal,’ he said. ‘It is something that is not easy, when you come to a team where there are players that have more experience in the English league.
Ramos on Mourinho
‘Mourinho was just another coach I worked with in my football career and I have always learnt from others, from when I was a youngster at Sevilla.
‘So I am very, very grateful but I don’t think Mourinho has changed my life in football at all.’
‘I had to see how the football was played. For me it wasn’t difficult because I had very good team-mates that helped and were always looking after me. The dressing room is like a family.”
‘When I came to Manchester, it was a bigger step from when I was in Villarreal. It is something that is not easy, when you come to a team where there are players that have more experience in the English league.
‘I had to see how the football was played. For me it wasn’t difficult because I had very good team-mates that helped and were always looking after me. The dressing room is like a family.’
‘I was following Marseille and looking up to my compatriot playing there, Didier Drogba, and my team was Marseille,’ Bailly added.
‘I would try to be a striker even though I wasn’t and once I started growing up and seeing professional football was a step closer I would look at Sergio Ramos. I always looked up to Ramos as an example and watched him a lot.’
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