year deal, bringing him back to Stamford Bridge in a player capacity,
and to help him transition into coaching after the 2014/15 season
ends.
"Drogba of course needs no introduction," announced the official club
website. A Chelsea legend, Drogba is capable of terrorizing defenses
across world soccer, who scored 157 goals for the Londoners, the last
of which famously helped them to a Champions League victory in 2012.
Now 36, in the two years away from the Bridge he spent time in China
and with Turkish giants Galatasaray before deciding to return to
London.
On signing a new deal, Drogba said: "It was an easy decision- I
couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with Jose again. Everyone
knows the special relationship I have with this club and it has always
felt like home to me.
'My desire to win is still the same and I look forward to the
opportunity to help this team. I am excited for this next chapter of
my career."
Jose Mourinho, who brought out the best of Drogba in his first stint
at Chelsea, said: "He's coming because he's one of the best strikers
in Europe. I know his personality very well and I know if he comes
back he's not protected by history or what he's done for this club
previously. He is coming with the mentality to make more history."
Mourinho is obviously trying to answer questions of his age and
capability of playing at the top, but Drogba's playing style is
perhaps suited to longevity more than many other top striker,
including last season's veteransigning Samuel Eto'o.
However, Chelsea currently has four senior strikers playing in their
squad, with Drogba joining Fernando Torres, new signing Diego Costa
and Romelu Lukaku, who returned from a loan spell at Everton. Unless
we see a drastic change of tactics from Mourinho, it is likely only
one of these will feature at any time.
The obvious way to view this is that one of these players will be
leaving the club. Rumors are rife of Fernando Torres' departure;
perhaps back to Atletico Madrid, whilst Lukaku heading out on loan
again isn't unfeasible. With Andre Schurrle and Mohammed Salah both
featuring in the central attacking role last term, what is clear
Chelsea is inundated with talent for that position. It raises the
question of the necessity of Drogba's signing, but his influence in
the dressing room and helping all of the above names develop their
game is unquestionable.
Comparisons in playing style can be made between Lukaku and Costa to
Drogba, and they can only be set to improve under his wing.
Certainly, we won't be seeing a return to the days of Drogba starting
week-in week-out, but to write this off as a poor transfer would be
naive. Unlike last year's signing of Eto'o, this isn't another stop
gap measure. Rather it's a player in the twilight of his career who
will be willing to take the back seat, and nurture talent under his
gaze. Though he may not have a direct impact on the pitch, this could
turn out to be a very fruitful acquisition for Chelsea.
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