Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is set for a shock return to Stamford Bridge on a one-year deal, according to reports in France.
The 36-year-old has spent the last 18 months at Galatasaray having left Chelsea in 2012, but with his contract at the Turkish club expiring this summer, French newspaper L'Equipe indicates he is set for a return to West London per Eurosport:
L'Equipe suggest that Drogba is relishing the opportunity to work with Jose Mourinho once more following his free transfer from Galatasaray.
L'Equipe suggest that Drogba is relishing the opportunity to work with Jose Mourinho once more following his free transfer from Galatasaray.
Chelsea have lost striking options in Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o so far this summer, and 36-year-old Drogba is always likely to offer goals.
The report also suggests that he may potentially move onto the coaching staff after a year of playing, with the transfer set to be announced early next week, per European football writer Ben Lyttleton:
Twitter:Free agent Drogba to sign one-year deal with Chelsea at start of next week, w/ option of joining coaching staff after that [L'Equipe]
The news of Drogba's potential return comes on the 10-year anniversary of his first introduction at Stamford Bridge (via the BBC).
Chelsea were weak in attack last season as Eto'o, Ba and Fernando Torres failed to impress, but Blues boss Mourinho has already signed Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid in an attempt to rectify this.
Equally, Romelu Lukaku's return from an impressive loan spell at Everton should bolster their attacking unit, although Drogba's potential return throws the Belgian's first-team future into some doubt per football writer Gary Maiden:
Twitter:Gary Maiden:Drogba back to Chelsea in a playing capacity? Lukaku in similar mould in terms of playing style. Doesn't suggest a great deal of confidence
The news of Drogba's return comes on the back of Mourinho's insistence that his summer transfer business was complete after the signings of Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis, per Matt Law in the Telegraph:
"I don’t think there will be any more players. We are happy with what we have got."
However, given Drogba's record in the eight years he spent at Stamford Bridge, per Opta, he would likely be welcomed back at Chelsea with great enthusiasm:
Twitter:OptaJean:100 - Didier Drogba has scored 100 goals in 226 Premier League games for Chelsea. Back.
While he is unlikely to play a large role for Chelsea if he makes his return, his great experience could be incredibly valuable to Mourinho and his side, especially with the recent departure of Blues stalwarts Frank Lampard and Ashely Cole.
Also, as he showed for Ivory Coast at the World Cup, he still has the ability to make a significant impact on the pitch, especially as a substitute and would likely chip in with a handful of vital goals.
His return will surely be seen as a positive move for all involved at the club and he could prove a galvanising figure for Chelsea next season as they look to win the Premier League.
