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Desailly to quit in 2004

Last updated : 19 March 2002 By Rich Godden
Desailly told a French magazine, "I'm 100 per cent sure that I will retire in 2004. That will be the final point of my career. I will be almost 36 and that will be enough. I want to see my kids grow up. I have a contract with Chelsea until 2004 and I will see it through."

Desailly joined Chelsea from AC Milan during the 1998 World Cup- a tournament that he won with France.

"I am still very ambitious but I will not sacrifice my family's happiness for my sporting ambition," he said.

"Being at Man United would be really good, but I am not interested in it that much. The quality of life that I have in London is too important for me. A few years ago maybe I would have joined Man United. But now I cannot see Man United giving me more than Chelsea, and even if they paid me more it would not be enough to compensate me for leaving London - which is a city that I love.

"I don't care. I am the Chelsea captain and I don't know what going to Man United would bring me - maybe another trophy, but I've got loads already and winning with Chelsea means more. I love it here and I don't care what happens elsewhere. After 2004 my priority will be to return to France, because by then I will have been playing abroad for 10 years."