The Guardian reported on Monday that Didier Drogba will aim to play one more season of professional football, extending his senior career to an 18th year. Following a 90-minute effort in a 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers, Drogba made a statement regarding his future.
“I have made a decision, yes,” he said. “And no, this is not my last season.“
Drogba has certainly earned his place in Chelsea lore over the past decade, becoming one of the most influential players in club history during two spells in West London. After originally signing over a decade ago in July of 2004 for £24 million from Marseille, during José Mourinho’s first stint as Chelsea manager, Drogba quickly became a household name in England, netting over 160 goals in all competitions – including 100 in league play – for the Blues from 2004 through 2012.
While claiming the Golden Boot twice, Drogba helped Chelsea to three Premier League crowns, four FA Cup triumphs, two League Cups and a European Championship during that run, and have already won another League Cup since his return. The Blues also appear poised to bring home another Premier League title with seven matches to play in the campaign.
Given all that he has contributed to the club over the past ten years, he seems to have a guaranteed place in the side as long as Mourinho remains in charge. In the recent past, the manager has indicated that he is in favour of whatever Didier wants to do moving forward, and he reaffirmed those sentiments prior to the win at Loftus Road.
“There are people who, during their careers, earn the right and the power to make decisions and not wait for others to make decisions for them,” Mourinho said. “What [Drogba] did at this club for so many years puts him in a great position.“
Per the Guardian report, Chelsea are expected to offer the Ivorian striker a one-year deal, although the specifics of the deal are unclear. Drogba has expressed a desire to move into a long-term role with the club as a coach or ambassador in the past, but if he is looking for guaranteed first-team football, he can no longer find that regularly at Stamford Bridge.
Following the additions of forwards Diego Costa and Loïc Rémy last summer, Chelsea’s first and second-choice strikers are firmly in place moving forward, meaning the 37-year-old Drogba is relegated to third-string.
The Big Man for the Big Occasion has put in a solid contribution in that third-choice role for Chelsea in 2014-15, scoring six goals in all competitions, including three goals and an assist in Premier League play and two more goals in Champions League competition. But due to the unfortunate overlap of injuries to Costa and Rémy at times this season, Drogba has been asked to play 90 minutes on a number of occasions, which is obviously not ideal for a 37-year-old who can no longer attack with the speed he once could despite remaining a force physically.
If Drogba does return for one more season on the pitch for Chelsea, what could it mean for the club?
For starters, it would mean a non-homegrown spot being used for an aging centre forward. Chelsea had to navigate around the 17-man limit of non-homegrown players prior to this season, and the proposed changes from the FA could see that number drop to 12 in the future, however unlikely that proposal may be. Chelsea have been proactive in how they have dealt with Financial Fair Play regulations and one would expect them to follow suit in this regard. Would the Blues use a non-homegrown roster spot for a back-up striker not expected to make a huge contribution on the pitch?
It is also not unreasonable to ask whether or not the Blues need a younger option to fortify their strike force. While Drogba, who is still adept at holding up play and continues to provide an aerial threat on set pieces, can be relied upon as a second-half substitute, this season’s injury situation with Costa and Rémy has shown the need for young, fresh legs behind the aforementioned first and second options.
Many criticised Drogba’s outing at QPR over the weekend, but Chris Ramsey’s men effectively clogged the midfield and it must be noted that Didier was not working with great service from his attacking teammates. Irrespective of Sunday’s match, it’s clear that Drogba has struggled down the stretch of games this season when he has been tasked with playing a full 90 minutes. While his effort and desire cannot be questioned, it’s simply unreasonable to ask a player of Drogba’s age to go the distance, which he has now had to do on five occasions in 2014-15.
Drogba’s presence in the dressing room, while hard to quantify from the outside, has been as positive as Mourinho expected by all indications. That kind of leadership and influence can be invaluable to young players, and it would be great to have Drogba in the team next season to provide it. It would also be great to see a Chelsea legend finish out his career with the club and not have to turn elsewhere as he did in 2012 when he went to Shanghai and then later to Galatasaray.
As far as replacement options, the Blues have been linked in recent days to forwards such as Mauro Icardi of Inter Milan and Paulo Dybala of Palermo, although the likelihood of either striker coming to Chelsea to battle with Rémy for playing time behind Costa is unknown. Chelsea also have a promising young striker out on loan in Patrick Bamford, who has netted 19 goals in all competitions for Middlesbrough on loan this season. However, another loan at the Premier League level – or remaining with Middlesbrough if they are promoted – seems a likely possibility for Bamford at the moment.
While Drogba, Mourinho and the club hierarchy will certainly hold talks to hash out the details of his future with Chelsea, these are issues that will need to be addressed as the club and its legendary forward begin to look beyond the 2014-15 season.
