With Chelsea FC legend Didier Drogba leaving the club this summer, there has been much talk of him following Steven Gerrard and Frank Lamapard over to the United States to see out his career in the MLS.
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The Ivorian returned to the West London club at the beginning of this campaign, providing José Mourinho with a third striking option in addition to a wealth of experience and knowledge in the dressing room. Unfortunately, the precious minutes he was afforded on the field only showed that at 37 years of age, Drogba’s race at this level had been run.
Despite fans’ pleas to stay, both parties realised that extending his one-year contract was not a viable option and as is the way in these times, Drogba announced he would leave via social media on Sunday:
Today will be my last game for CFC. I have spoken at length with Jose and he understands I want to… https://t.co/iANxj6zdHz
— Didier Drogba (@didierdrogba) May 24, 2015
Speaking to the press during Chelsea’s victory parade (on which my colleague Lee Fraser should have more soon) Drogba said: ‘Next year I want to have more minutes than I am having now. I just want to play, you know, and finish maybe on a high saying that ‘I gave everything and I can’t do that any more.’ This year I didn’t have that feeling. In fact, I felt I could still play and I still want to enjoy it before I stop. So for me to stay here and to finish with frustration, that would not have been possible. So we all agreed and understood what is good for all of us.’
Evidently his wish of playing time would not be fulfilled at Stamford Bridge next season and even though he may not have what it takes at Premier League level anymore, there are still plenty of leagues around the world who would willingly chuck money at him, a notion he confirmed.
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‘Since I put it on social media I have received some calls from other teams. Really unusual. But it was funny and interesting also because it really showed that, maybe, I can still bring something to a team.’
A few of these supposed parties are reportedly from the MLS, where Frank Lampard will join up imminently (and overdue) with New York City and Steven Gerrard with the LA Galaxy.
‘Of course I’m interested in the USA. Now I’m going to have a few days and weeks to think about what is good for me next but all I want is to play,’ Drogba added.
With the standard in the USA’s premier football soccer competition still relatively low (although it is rising to be fair), Drogba could certainly have an opportunity to make hay and potentially see out his career in much warmer climes. Furthermore, as New York City are supposedly one of the interested clubs, there is a reunion with Frank Lampard on the table the likes of which we have not seen since Masters Football stopped being shown by Sky Sports.
Meanwhile, for all those Chelsea fans who feel that we may never see Drogba in West London again, fear not. Asked about a possibility of returning to the Blues in some non-playing role, it seems as though a deal has already been sorted:
‘I spoke with José Mourinho and the board and, all of us, we found an agreement.’
All that is left is for me to wish Didier all the best in his next endeavour and hope that it won’t be too long before we see him prowling the touchline in a matching tracksuit with his initials stitched on in far too many places.
I leave you with this clip from Sunday, which sums up all that the striker has meant to Chelsea over the years.
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