Who would have thought that after his dramatic penalty to win the 2012 Champions League Final, Didier Drogba would be back just a few years later to help Chelsea FC win another title? After taking a short tour of China and Turkey, Didier Drogba returned to Chelsea FC to put on the shirt for another season.
Fans did not know what to expect from the 37-year-old Ivorian striker who was coming off a solid but not spectacular season in Istanbul. He was obviously going to be a third striker in the rotation and his leadership would be vital but could he actually offer anything on the pitch?
He answered that question with a run of games when Diego Costa and Loic Remy were both injured. He scored important goals against Swindon Town and Manchester United and looked as if he could still be a capable player in the Premier League. However it became obvious later in the season that he was not the same player he once was and could not easily play more than one game a week.
He stepped up with another vital goal against Leicester City in a match where he was constantly derided by fans on social media for his lack of impact. The fans slated Drogba time and time again for losing the ball and generally looking “past it”. He responded to the haters by scoring a vital goal to equalize against Leicester and bring Chelsea back into the match. The Blues went on to win courtesy of goals from Eden Hazard and Ramires but it was Drogba that got it all started
So the question now is should Chelsea FC offer him another one year contract? It is a complicated answer because it is so difficult to find a striker who is capable of playing but is willing to sit on the bench the way Drogba has this season. Luckily for Chelsea FC they have one in youngster Patrick Bamford.
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However Bamford does not offer anywhere near the same experience that Drogba does and we know that Drogba will never be overawed by the moment or fold under the pressure of a big match because he has seen and done it all with the Blues.
There is also the question of whether the Blues would like to see Bamford go out on loan again to a Premier League club next season rather than staying at Chelsea FC so he can play more than just once or twice a month. He has dominated the Championship level but the club will be curious to see if he can handle himself week in and week out in the Premier League.
Despite this dilemma, the answer to the original question is that Chelsea FC should not offer him another contract. While he is still capable of scoring goals in the box Drogba was a detriment to the team because of his style and slow pace of play. It is time for him to move on once again to another club if he still wishes to play but if he is willing to retire then of course he will have a place on the Chelsea FC coaching staff.
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