Chelsea FC In Talks With Montreal Impact Over Didier Drogba
Chelsea FC are in talks with Montreal Impact over a possible coaching role for Didier Drogba.
New Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is keen to bring Didier Drogba into his backroom staff as he settles into his interim role for the rest of the season. Now, it has been confirmed that the Blues are negotiating with the Ivorian’s Major League Soccer (MLS) side to that end.
Montreal Impact in fact tweeted out just under an hour ago that they are in talks with the West Londoners in order to find a solution that is beneficial to all parties involved.
We are currently in contact with Didier Drogba and Chelsea FC. We are doing everything we can to have him back with the Impact in 2016.#IMFC
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) December 23, 2015
We understand his attachment to his former club and his desire to help them. We are willing to accommodate him. #IMFC
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) December 23, 2015
Drogba was in attendance as a guest of Roman Abramovich last weekend, when Chelsea defeated Sunderland 3-1. With Hiddink’s appointment as interim boss prior to kick-off, the duo sat side by side before meeting with the Blues squad after the game had ended.
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The Chelsea manager had already indicated earlier today that the Stamford Bridge brass were in contact with the MLS outfit over the possibility. He stated his desire to make the striker a part of his backroom staff as he looks to turn the club’s season around.
"The official process I don’t know, but I spoke openly from the bottom of the heart that such impact players can be huge for the club. How it goes on now, it’s others who have to deal with that. Not me. – via The Telegraph"
Chelsea fans will undoubtedly be excited by these developments, as Drogba was the heart and soul of the club through its most successful years alongside the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard. He is revered among the terraces, with his leadership and ambassadorial qualities recognised in addition to his undisputed skill.
Hence, it is evident why the Blues are so keen to bring him back to Stamford Bridge during these tough times.
Credit must be given to the Impact, meanwhile, for seemingly approaching this in an accommodating manner. With Drogba joining the Canada-based club as the franchise and crowd-drawing player, it would be understandable if they were to be upset by Chelsea’s intentions.
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However, despite the Ivorian being under contract for another year, they appear willing to take into account the wishes of the player, which can only be applauded.
While it would be a personal point of elation to see Drogba take a seat in the dugout in the immediate future, it would be disappointing from the sport’s perspective if the striker were to bail on his contract. The MLS is on the verge of becoming a significant player in the US sports market and it need the likes of Drogba (who continues to score goals) to push them over the line.
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Having said that, Drogba seems like the kind of person who will respect the Impact enough to at least partially fulfill the rest of his commitment.
Just what his role will be, we are yet to see. Perhaps this could turn into a nice little Christmas present for Chelsea fans?