Hailed as a living Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba spoke of his desire to stay at Chelsea beyond this season. Speaking after receiving the 2015 Football Writers’ Association Tribute Award in London on Sunday night, Drogba revealed his thoughts regarding his position at Chelsea: “When you have achieved so much and won so many trophies like we have done in the past 10 years, that creates something special. I hope, and the club makes me believe, I am part of this big family, so we are going to find the best thing for both of us to promote the club in the best way.”
Following Chelsea’s triumph in Munich, it appeared as though Drogba’s final touch for the Blues would be his Champions League winning penalty in May 2012. However, after a short stint in China with Shanghai Shenhua, Drogba soon proved his worth once again in Europe’s top competition spending two seasons at Galatasaray, quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite in Istanbul. This summer saw the 36-year-old’s return to Stamford Bridge and he continued to speak of his love for the club: “When I left this club the first time I was saying I had done everything I wanted to do but I think now that I did not do everything. I think there is more to do. I love this club and would love to be part of this club for the future, with the new players.”
José Mourinho, who started Didier Drogba’s love affair with Chelsea, signed the Ivorian from Marseille for £24 million in 2004. A sum that many believed to be to high at the time has since proved to be a bargain in the long run. As part of the award Mourinho wrote a tribute to the Chelsea talisman in the FWA event programme: “Throughout my career I have always refused to say which is my favourite player or the best person, because so many have given soul and blood to play and to fight with me, but if I have to choose one who represents all the good things you want in a player and a man, I think in this moment I would choose Didier. I know what he means as a player and as a person. That is why this combination of the player and the person is so amazing and I can say that he is a phenomenal person.”
