Sunderland new signing Papy Djilobodji out to prove his Chelsea critics wrong

Cult hero Papy Djilobodji's time at Chelsea might go down in history as one of the most fruitless, and yet still profitable deals ever made by the club.

Djilo arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £3 million move from French club Nantes at the very end of the summer transfer window, and went on to make one, one-minute appearance for the club in the next five months.

Following those 51 seconds against Walsall in the League Cup, the center back went out on loan to German club Werder Bremen. Djilobodji could have made the Weserstadion his new home more permanently this summer, but he had different plans, with England and the Premier League still on his mind.

"At the end of the season, [Werder Bremen] wanted me to stay but I was on loan and I wanted to return to England. It's the best league in the world - I want to show something there."

"I just want to show that I'm still here - that I've matured too. Because there are plenty of people who say that I wasn't good enough for Chelsea. I want to show that I could have played, to enjoy myself and to please everyone."

-Papy Djilobodji; source: L'Equipe via Sunderland Echo

Djilobodji tried to show he was good enough to Antonio Conte during the training camp in Austria (he started both games), but instead of getting to join for the subsequent USA Tour, he was left back in London, consigning him to a future away from Stamford Bridge.

"I am really happy [to move to Sunderland] and I will give everything for this club. I hope to have playing time, and [Sunderland manager David Moyes] called me. It was important for me and it encouraged me to come here."

"We did not talk about a starting spot, but he told me he wanted me in his team. That was motivating. It was something that I haven't heard at Chelsea."

"I'm not the type of player to go to the coach to ask him to play me, I've never done that."

"An assistant of Mourinho told me to talk to him but no, I did not. What I show in training, for me, that's enough. After, if he wants to play me, is good. And if it does not play me, no worries, I stay on the bench quietly. I was not at all depressed and I was supported."

-Papy Djilobodji; source: L'Equipe via Sport Witness

Despite not getting his chance at Chelsea last season, Djilobodji has kept up a positive outlook.  (Ed. note: so he's got that going for him, which is nice.)

"I trained, I returned home and I didn't play. But I was training with the best players in the world - I learned a lot of things over there all the same. It was a good passage for me. I would have liked to have played more but if you're not given the chance you can't do anything."

-Papy Djilobodji; Source: L'Equipe via Sunderland Echo

Djilobodji might not have made the cut at Chelsea, but he was good enough to draw our attention initially (and our money). Now at Sunderland, Djilobodji may finally get to see what the Premier League is all about.

Best of luck, cult hero!