Didier Drogba
Ivorian star Didier Drogba said Tuesday he’s leaving Chelsea Football Club at the end of June when his contract expires after eight years with the club, which won the UEFA Champions League title May 19th in Munich, Germany.
In a statement at Chelsea’s website, the 34-year-old Drogba said: “I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea. It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am
Didier Drogba and his Chelsea teammates celebrate their UEFA Champions League trophy (Getty Images)
very proud of what we have achieved, but the time is right for a new challenge for me. As a team, we have accomplished so much and won every single trophy possible.”
Drogba’s biggest trophy came in Munich, where he played a huge role in Chelsea’s first-ever European title. He scored the equalizer in the 88th minute against host Bayern Munich, to take Chelsea into extra time and then a penalty kick shootout. And then the muscular striker scored the winning penalty kick in Chelsea’s 4-3 penalty shootout victory.
Drogba delivered 157 goals in 341 appearances for the West London club, and his 34 goals in European competition is a Chelsea record. The two-time African Footballer of the Year also won three English Premier League titles, four English F.A. Cups and two Carling League Cups.
He says holding the trophy in Munich, after losing in the UEFA Champions League final four years earlier in Moscow, was a crucial moment in deciding to leave Chelsea. “I think winning the final was the key,” says Drogba, “and not me scoring the winning penalty but winning the game I think was the turning point. I think it’s the best time to move on.”
Didier Drogba’s next move may be China, where he reportedly would join former Chelsea teammate Nicolas Anelka with the club Shanghai Shenhua.
My tribute for our legend DIDIER DROGBA who has
decided to move on. Albeit, it’s not my write up but I
fully concur with the writer’s opinion so I have
adopted it as my tribute. This is a sort of tribute that
was written for Drogba by Paul Wilson last year and
published on the Guardian blog on Nov. 30th.Here are
excerpts from the article: Most of United’s famous
storylines have been constructed outside the Premier
League narrative whereas Chelsea are almost entirely
an EPL construct.
They are arguably even more famous now, although
possibly not by much, but they predate the Premier
League much too conspicuously to be synonymous
with something only 20 years old.
So do Liverpool, one could argue, though since
Liverpool’s Premier League story is one of falling short
of their previous standards, they cannot be considered
EPL icons anyway. Whereas Chelsea are entirely an
EPL cconstruct. That is why my vote would go to
Didier Drogba in a poll to find the most iconic Premier
League player, even if his time in England may be
drawing to a close. It has to be a foreigner, for a start,
anything else would be less than honest. Drogba is a
marvellous mix of ability, athleticism, bravery and
brute force, with none too subtle undertones of
pantomime comedy occasionally shading into high
drama, and he’s at the right club.We’ll miss him when
he’s gone. Full article can be read here: http://
t.co/5ZaZUCEc. I agree wit the writer Drogba will
really be missed not only by Chelsea but by the EPL as
well. What do u think?
The memory of Didier Drogba, will forever remain in my heart.I am very happy for him.He has accomplished a lot with Chelsea.And i think in time to come his absence will be felt in Chelsea.But i wish him all the best.He is a living legend of African football and an outstanding Chelsea player and Ivory Coast.
Yea he’s really good! D black african star has really delivered chelsea fc so he need an hounour in return, A̶̲̥̅♏ not a chelsea fan but I L♥√ع d 34 year old player didier drogba!
he is the best player i know i wonder why he went
Respect to the Ivorian Didier Drogba, he remain CFC greatest legend, it would be had to see a piayer in Chelsea that will break his record, respect to you over ther drug of war that is the nick name some of here in Nigeria. I go by the name mr Segun de blue.