Didier Drogba is widely anticipated to make his return to Stamford Bridge in a coaching role, to work alongside Guus Hiddink to improve the form of last season’s Premier League champions.
But today the Daily Star believe that Drogba’s main goal will be to prevent playmaker Eden Hazard from joining Real Madrid.
Drogba, 37, has denied the deal is done for him to return to Stamford Bridge via Twitter and said he is still discussing his future with current club Montreal Impact.
Lovely to receive these messages but I have not yet announced my retirement & am still in discussion with @impactmontreal about my future.
Drogba was a talismanic striker, and his enthusiasm and passion for the club is something which has been missing this season. His departure has coincided with Hazard’s downturn in form, leading to rumours that he could be heading to Real Madrid.
These rumours have been escalated by the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as the new Madrid manager after he has openly admired Hazard’s style of play. Chelsea will be keen to keep Hazard after he won both the PFA and FWA Player of the Season awards less than a year ago.
Chelsea will hope Drogba can convince Hazard to stay amid a flurry of reports linking him to many clubs across Europe, including Chelsea’s last 16 Champions League opponents Paris Saint-Germain. However, it is understood Hazard would prefer a move to La Liga rather than Ligue 1.
