'Taking cocaine was the worst decision' - Former Chelsea star claims he would have 'easily' won the Ballon d'Or if he hadn't used drugs

Mutu’s time at Stamford Bridge was brief but eventful. Arriving from Parma, he initially showed promise but soon found himself out of favour, particularly after a falling-out with manager Jose Mourinho. The Romanian forward’s career took a sharp downturn after he was banned from football for eight months following a positive test for cocaine.

Mutu's tenure in the Premier League ended in disgrace, but the former star now reflects on how things could have turned out differently.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Mutu said: "Taking cocaine during my time at Chelsea was the worst decision I could have made in my career. I was alone and sad, but neither depression nor anything else justified my actions. Zero tolerance – that was Chelsea's policy regarding drugs. And I think that's fair.

"I made a mistake, strayed from the path, and paid the price for it. I was caught off guard. I wasn't used to that life. I was unprepared. I arrived at Chelsea during a turbulent time in my personal life, and I found myself caught up in too many excuses and lies. I was too young and too alone."

Despite his regrets, Mutu remains convinced that his talent was enough to win football’s most prestigious individual award.

'I've reflected on that many times," he said. "I believe that for more than a season, I was amongst the best players in the world, so I could have won it (Ballon d'Or) easily. But bad decisions prevented me from doing so. I try not to beat myself up about it."

Mutu’s journey to football’s highest level began when he joined Inter Milan as a 20-year-old in January 2000. After a brief spell at Hellas Verona, he moved to Parma, where his potential flourished. At Parma, he was a standout performer, combining his technical skill with a keen eye for goal. The club invested around €10 million in him and he delivered, scoring 22 goals in 36 games during the 2002-03 season. His performances caught the attention of Chelsea, who had just been taken over by Roman Abramovich. The London club secured his signature, hoping he would be a key figure in their ambitious rebuild.

Mutu even earned a Ballon d’Or nomination and went on to receive the same number of votes as footballing icons Ronaldinho, Filippo Inzaghi, Jan Koller, and Francesco Toldo. However, his form dipped drastically. After scoring four goals in his first three games, he managed just two more goals in the next 22 league appearances. The arrival of José Mourinho in 2004 only worsened his situation. Despite Abramovich’s backing, Mutu’s place in the squad became uncertain after reports emerged of off-field concerns regarding his lifestyle and alleged drug use.

Rumors of his struggles intensified during pre-season, with reports suggesting a clash between him and Mourinho over suspicions of cocaine use. By September 2004, Mutu failed a drug test, confirming the club’s worst fears. The consequences were severe - he received a seven-month suspension from football, effectively ending his Chelsea career. The club terminated his contract, and his time in London ended in disgrace.