Nicolas Anelka reveals that former Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra shocked him with his incredible talent, despite the player’s short and uneventful career at Stamford Bridge.
Former striker, Nicolas Anelka believes Chelsea made a mistake by letting “incredible” midfielder Lassana Diarra leave after only 31 appearances.
According to a report from The Chelsea Chronicle, former Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka has singled out Lassana Diarra as one of the most talented players he ever played alongside, lamenting that the club sold him after just 31 games. Anelka reflected:
“Diarra, one player with a different style … when I knew him and I played with him … there was not much noise around him, but as soon as he stepped onto the pitch it was something incredible.”
The article explains that Diarra was a young, combative French midfielder at Chelsea, operating in a mould similar to Claude Makélélé and N’Golo Kanté.
However, despite his evident talent, Diarra struggled for opportunities under José Mourinho, who reportedly saw him more as a squad option than a starter.
Anelka expressed regret that Diarra’s potential was never fully realised at Stamford Bridge before he moved on — first to Arsenal and then on to Real Madrid.
He also recalled a humorous anecdote involving Mourinho, who once quipped that the “grey hairs” on his head were thanks to Diarra and his agent, underscoring the challenges of managing the young midfielder.
The Chronicle’s piece paints a picture of “what could have been,” suggesting that Diarra’s career perhaps lacked stability at Chelsea, but that his raw talent left a lasting impression on those around him — especially Anelka, whose remarks highlight how much unfulfilled promise there once was.