Chelsea legend Michael Essien reveals how he was close Liverpool transfer before Blues move and held talks at Melwood

CHELSEA great Michael Essien has revealed he almost signed for rivals LIVERPOOL instead.

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Chelsea paid Lyon a then club record £24.4million in 2005 and he went on to clock up 256 appearances for the Blues, finding the net 25 times.

However the 37-year-old has now revealed he came close to joining Liverpool in 2002.

The Ghana ace met former Anfield boss Gerard Houllier at the Reds' Melwood training base to hash out a deal.

Essien nonetheless decided to pledge his immediate future to French side Bastia, despite rival interest from Ligue 1's biggest clubs.

Essien recalled: "I had a lot of offers when I was at Bastia. I was close to signing for Liverpool when Gerard Houllier was their coach.

"I even went to Melwood to meet the coach. We had a talk, and I returned to France.

"But the offers were still coming - from PSG, Marseille.

"However I told Bastia I didn't want to move, and they also didn't want to sell me. They wanted me to stay another year.

"That was fine with me. I didn't want to leave the club, so I stayed for my third year with them.

"Lyon joined the three aforementioned clubs to enquire about me. I thought it was too early for me to move to England."

The midfield maestro went on to enjoy vast success with Chelsea before leaving for AC Milan in 2013.

Liverpool limped to an FA Cup and a League Cup during Essien's glittering time with their Premier League rivals.

While Chelsea legends like John Terry, as well as the likes of ex-Blues stars Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, have all hung up their boots and moved on post-playing, Essien continues to play.

The Ghanaian star completed his move to Sabail FK in Azerbaijan to take on the role both player and Under-19 team coach in 2019.