Didier Drogba could richly benefit Chelsea

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has re-joined the club on a one-year deal

Chelsea have re-signed legendary striker Didier Drogba on a one-year deal. The 36-year-old was a free agent after his contract with Turkish club Galatasaray expired this summer.

The veteran had been linked with a number of clubs this summer including Juventus and Manchester City.

However, he has now made the move back to the club where he built a reputation as one of the deadliest strikers in European football.

Legend

Didier Drogba is a true Chelsea legend.

In 2012 the Ivory Coast forward was named as the greatest ever player to have played for the Blues, after a poll was conducted among Chelsea fans.

Only Frank Lampard, Bobby Tambling and Kerry Dixon have scored more goals in the history of the club.

Drogba’s first spell at Stamford Bridge saw the striker score 157 times in 341 appearances, as he helped the Blues claim three Premier League titles, four FA Cup’s, two League Cups and of course the Champions League.

Big Occasion

Drogba was always the man for the big occasion, never better illustrated than the last kick of his first spell with the club. That famous last kick was a penalty which won Chelsea the 2012 Champions League final against German giants Bayern Munich.

It was the perfect send-off for a player, who always seemed to be there for Chelsea with a goal when they really needed it. In big games he never hid and scored some really crucial goals in his Blues career.

Veteran

When he left the club in 2012 he was very much a veteran, but two years further on and there is still life in the old Drog yet. He may not be the same striker that terrorised defences in his prime, but he still has plenty to offer the Blues.

His experience and know-how could be vital in Chelsea’s bid to win the Premier League title next season, which the Blues are already favourites at odds of 15/8 to do.

Doubts

Highly-rated youngster Romelu Lukaku’s future at the club is in major doubt, this signing will only add more fuel to the fire that the 21-year-old is set to leave the club. Lukaku has been described many times as ‘the new Drogba’ and has the physical presence to emulate the Ivory Coast international.

Learning Curve

If Lukaku decides to stay at Stamford Bridge, then he could learn a lot from Drogba. The striker has won everything there is to win in club football and his experience imparted in a player like Lukaku could be invaluable.

Lukaku is rumoured to be a young guy that is very keen to learn and despite his frequent comments in the media, is supposedly an intelligent youngster. If he can learn from Drogba then he could improve the flaws in his game.

However, it seems increasingly likely Lukaku will leave the club before getting the chance to learn much from his veteran colleague. New signing Diego Costa may also be able to pick up a few points from the experienced striker next season.

Coaching

Didier Drogba is obviously now in the twilight of his playing career and is at the stage of his career where the next season could be his last. It seems that Drogba could make a very coach in the future and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho rates him very highly, as both a player and a person.

I am sure if Drogba wanted to retire at the end of next season that there would be a coaching position available for him in the coaching set-up at Stamford Bridge.

Ideal

The return of Didier Drogba is ideal for everybody really. Drogba needed a new club and with doubts over the futures of strikers Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea needed some attacking insurance, Drogba gives them that insurance.

Jose Mourinho is not a man for sentiment and would not have signed Drogba just because of his status. The Portuguese boss knows that Drogba still has a lot to offer the Blues and I would think his return will be a welcome one for the majority of Chelsea fans.

Were Chelsea right to re-sign Didier Drogba this summer?