Florent Malouda says he chose to join reject Liverpool and join Chelsea when he moved to the Premier League in 2007.
The 30-year-old signed for the London club from Lyon for £13.5 million, but has revealed that Liverpool were the first club to express an interest in his signature.
"Liverpool were the first club to make an offer,” he told Chelsea TV.
“Lyon have a good relationship with Real Madrid as well, so they were saying to go there but my first choice was Chelsea.”
The France international also admitted that his decision to move to Stamford Bridge was influenced by the personnel already among the Chelsea ranks.
"When Didier signed here, I came to Stamford Bridge many times, there was also Makelele and then Michael Essien came,” he added.
“I felt if I had to go to England then this would be the place where I'd feel comfortable and it would have the atmosphere that would help me perform.
"So I told the president of Lyon that my choice was Chelsea and I asked him to get me here before pre-season started."
