Didier Drogba primed for an emotional return to Chelsea?

17 July 2013 14:19

Surely it can’t be true. Well, it just might be! Over the weekend, reports started to circulate that Chelsea were to make an audacious attempt to bring Champions’ League hero, Didier Drogba back to the club for an emotional swansong to his career. With the Ivorian’s current employers, Turkish club Galatasaray visiting England to play a friendly, given the history, it was probably inevitable that Drogba would turn up at Cobham to touch base with his old brothers in arms. It’s understood that this happened just over a week ago, and the initial talk of the move came then.

Although I’ve heard it said that the idea was a surprise to the Ivorian, he was enthralled by the prospect. Going back to April this year, prior to his current club arriving at the Bernabeu for a Champions’ League game against Mourinho’s then employers, Real Madrid, the Guardian reported Drogba as saying that he thought it would be a good move if the Portuguese manager returned to Stamford Bridge, and that he would be open to a reunion with him, as he “unfinished business” at Chelsea. The feeling may well be mutual, as last week, Mourinho was quoted as saying : ‘I can use Didier as a profile to persuade youngsters to follow me because he followed me from day one.” Logically, with Chelsea looking to reinforce an emaciated front line, having a player such as Drogba at the club could have big benefits for Chelsea. If the club’s Rooney aspirations come to fruition, the 35 year old’s playing time may be limited, but given his legendary status at the club, and ability to be an impact player from the bench, there’s merit in the move.

Sadly for the romantics – and Chelsea fans – it seems that Galatasaray are unlikely to look favourably on an approach for their player, who still has a further season to run on his contract but, I guess if there’s brass involved – as there always is with football transfers – you’re not going to show your hand too early. Perhaps the Blues shouldn’t be too disappointed yet then by the Turkish club’s reluctance to play ball. The summer has a good few more weeks to run yet, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprised in the world if the deal happens, and the first time Drogba trots back onto the field of lay for the blues, with Mourinho in the dugout, Chelsea fans may think Christmas has come very early indeed!

Sources:

http://metro.co.uk/2013/07/14/jose-mourinho-attempting-to-lure-didier-drogba-back-to-chelsea-3881975/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/apr/02/didier-drogba-chelsea-jose-mourinho

Source: DSG