After just 23 first-team starts with the Stamford Bridge club and eight in five months under Arsene Wenger, the French midfielder completed a £5.5million switch to Portsmouth.

But, even though Diarra is now aiming for the stars, he says regular action is one of the most important things for him.

He said: "What do I want? I want to win the World Cup and the Champions League. And most of all I just want to play.

very happy

"I couldn't do that too much at Chelsea and Arsenal. You will have to question Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger about that but they know why I left.

"Here I can play every week with Portsmouth. It is a good team, proved by reaching the FA Cup final, and this is why I'm here. I want to win something with Portsmouth and I will be here next season. If I end up having the same career as Nicolas Anelka I will be very happy. He plays for the national team and is a good man and a good player - but sometimes people do not understand what really goes on.

"No-one really knows why I left Chelsea and Arsenal but I feel comfortable about it. They are three different people I have played for here. I respect Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho, but I know which one I prefer.

"I am here because of the manager. If he wasn't here, I can't say I would be but he is the reason I joined Portsmouth and I am happy here."