Ex-Chelsea star reveals how Jose Mourinho crushed his dream of emulating David Beckham

Florent Malouda has opened up on his arrival at Chelsea in 2007 and how his first request was denied by Jose Mourinho. 

Malouda joined Chelsea from Olympique Lyonnais in July 2007, and immediately asked for the number 7 shirt, the number David Beckham famously wore at Man United.

However, when he asked Jose Mourinho to take it from Andriy Shevchenko, the manager told him to forget about it.

Malouda, who had just won the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, was brought in to replace Arjen Robben following his switch to Real Madrid in the same window. 

"My first conversation with Jose Mourinho was great. I was so relieved to have got the green light to travel to London to finalise my contract," said the Frenchman (via Football London)

"In France, I wore the number seven shirt, so I asked Jose about the availability of that. He said 'No, Sheva [Andriy Shevchenko] is number seven. Forget about it."

Malouda went on to feature 229 times for Chelsea, scoring 45 goals and providing 41 assists, to help the Blues win the Champions League, a Premier League title, and three FA Cups.