Didier Drogba
Where will Drogba end up?
Apparently he's considering a move to Asia (Russia looks especially promising), as well as the USA. I'm aware that Anzhi Makhachkala, the Russian team that makes Manchester City look impoverished, has put Drogba on its wish list. If successful, Drogba will be a nice addition to a squad that seems to be amassing its own private army of brilliant footballers and coaches (Roberto Carlos, Samuel Eto'o, possibly Guus Hiddinck, and possibly Marcelo Lippi). And if it's truly money he wants, Anzhi is definitely the place to go. Money seems to be absolutely no object for the Russian side, with the club signing Samuel Eto'o to a contract in August that officially made him the world's highest-paid football player (10m Euros/season). I believe that the offer from Anzhi was a transfer fee in the ballpark of 10m Euros. Another option for Drogba is MLS side LA Galaxy, which his agent has stated is "possible." The Galaxy are certainly no stranger to amassing great talent either, picking up David Beckham and Landon Donovan, as well as being linked with Luca Toni, Michael Ballack, Ronaldinho, Frank Lampard (!), Alessandro del Piero, and Guti. Personally, I'm hoping he comes to the Galaxy, because when the Galaxy play Toronto FC (my home club), I might be able to see him. So, for entirely selfish reasons, I want him to reach Los Angeles.
What does this mean for Chelsea?
While losing Drogba will, of course, be very unfortunate for the club, in all truth I do not believe it will force a huge difference in Chelsea's tactics. André Villas-Boas seems to be favouring Fernando Torres as the target man in the Chelsea formation. As well, Drogba look-alike (and play-alike) Romelu Lukaku is waiting in the wings to become a permanent fixture in the starting 11.
Romelu Lukaku
When he comes of age, the 18-year-old striker will be the one to take Drogba's place in the squad. Drogba is undoubtedly one of my favourite Chelsea players ever – it will truly be devastating to see him off. And when Drogba's last game at the Bridge is played, I have no doubt that he won't be leaving without at least one standing ovation (he'll get one from me, at least).
Brilliant video – Drogba highlights.
At the age of 33 one can hardly blame him for seeking to maximize his remaining career. Does he owe Chelsea anything? I can only answer that by posing the question: if he were injured or his skills were declining enough would Chelsea feel that they owed him anything or would they show him the door? At least he was honest about it. That in itself is refreshing.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't have anything left on his contract after this year, if that's what you mean. Chelsea offered him one more year but he turned it down. No, I don't believe for a second that Chelsea would just show him the door. He's been such a huge fixture at the club, and André Villas-Boas has actually been starting him over Torres recently, so there are definitely some plans for a striker rotation in place. And January is so close, it's likely that he'll be leaving then anyway. If not, then he'll be gone in August. I completely understand his reasoning behind it. While it'll still be a sad day for all Chelsea fans when he leaves, he'll be moving on to somewhere where he can get the money to sustain him for the rest of his life, and I respect that.
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