Drogba leaves Chelsea after 8 great seasons!
By Jkct02
@jkct02 (2874)
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
May 23, 2012 6:21am CST
Didier Drogba has just announced that he is leaving Chelsea in the summer. It means that he has played his last match for Chelsea in the European Cup final in Munich. His 8 seasons in Chelsea are a tremendous success: He won 3 EPL titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. He scored 157 goals in 341 appearances.
His departure is a loss for Chelsea. Although he is 34 years old, he is still a player capable of playing at the highest level for at least another 2 years but it was reported that Chelsea was only prepared to offer him 1 year of contract extension. And that was said to be the reason why he is leaving. He did not say where he will be going but he has been linked heavily to a professional club in the Chinese league which reported to be willing to pay £200,000 per week for his service.
That is what he said in his personal website:
"Even the greatest stories come to an end. My contract is finished and I am now prepared to leave the Blues. It is with great sadness but also with much gratitude that I announce you my departure from Chelsea."
He is a great athletic and a fantastic player. His performances in the semi-final and the final of last season's Champions League were the key factor to Chelsea's first win of the UCL trophy. He has contributed greatly to EPL in general and Chelsea in particular. It will be very hard for anyone to emulate his achievement in Chelsea. Drogba is irreplaceable.
4 people like this
11 responses
@roberten (3128)
• United States
23 May 12
His gain is a loss for the sport; 34 years young and going out while on top. I think he is doing what is right for him, the rest of us will just have to live with it. He came along and blew us away, there is some kid hiding in the wings who will eventually do the same. This kid will not be another Drogba, but he will be awesome in his own way.
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
26 May 12
People may say or think that he has still in him 2 years of top level football, but to leave when he is still on top is a way to preserve a fond memory of him serving Chelsea. Yes, I agree with you that we all have to live with his decision and with respects. His career is his to decide. He knows what is good for himself. He has done all he could for Chelsea. No one can ask more from him.
@Sanitary (3968)
• Singapore
24 May 12
IT's about time Drogba leaves chelsea because he's not contributing much to the squad. It's time for Torres to step up instead being in Drogba's shadow. I believe Drogba is leaving partly of money rather than the 1 year extension Chelsea is offering him. Look at Anelka playing in the chinese league, he's there purely for the money when he's capable of playing at the highest level again.
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
29 May 12
As a matter of fact, Drogba WAS the key factor why Chelsea could achieve the Cup Double success last season, especially the Champions League semi-finals and the final. So you can not say that 'he's not contributing much to the squad'. Torres is the future of Chelsea. Any new manager comes in will have to build the team around Torres as Drogba is not young anymore. Drogba knows it and he has to accept it. But he still can play - he proved that last season.
Money and 1 year extension is the same thing. He wanted a 2 year contract so that he could assure himself a stable 2 years of income. As a professional footballer, that is his right to look after his own welfare. By his performance, he has paid back all that Chelsea had paid for his services. Manchester City offered him double his salary 2 seasons ago but he did not go. Going to play in smaller leagues is definitely not for footballing reasons - again, Drogba and Anelka are professionals, they play to earn. If they don't get paid good salary they would not have gone there. That is business. That is a deal. But, if we have to look at it from a holistic angle, famous and quality players playing in less-developed football leagues will generate more interest in that host country about football and enhance the spectators turn out to matches. It was done in J-League and K-League and it helped Japan and South Korea football tremendously.
1 person likes this
@adhyz82 (36249)
• Indonesia
23 May 12
i think drogba had proved that he comes, he plays and he wins..
he become one of the legend for Chelsea..
he had proved that he always plays good with and without Drogba..
the role of drogba is hardly for unreplaceable i think..Torres realizes it.but if chelsea can`t do it now, it`s hardly for stopping their hope to drogba..
Drogba is not younger anymore...and chelsea need for regeneration i think..the human being can`t fight the age , and i think drogba began to understand that he must leave Stamford bridge..
but chelsea fans should remember the contribution and the role of Didier Drogba for their team..
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
29 May 12
Drogba was relatively unknown when Jose Mourinho brought him from Marseille in 2004. It was touching when Drogba expressed his thankfulness for what Jose Mourinho had done for him. Yes, Drogba is a Chelsea legend now - as big as anyone in the club's history.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
23 May 12
Hiya jkct,
Very sorry to see him go too I was watching him in the last Match where they won. I have never known much about him either what I have seen is enough he is a great player and a great sport too.
If he knows its right to go from Chelsea it must be because he feels the need to move on now and go on to other greater things for himñ
I wish him well he deserves to move on and do what he wants now.
Chelsea like its been said will have other great players.
I sort of knew Chelsea would win that sixth sense of mine was telling me all along.
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
26 May 12
Hiya jkct.,
Imagine if he becomes a Trainer like Guardiola I think he would be brilliant but he probably has other ideas which no one knows about.
I agree what you say about Drogba strong and skillful and always giving his best no matter what.
He could be strongly defended by the defenders and that what probably makes him do that.
Each of them does something different.
Like Guardiola who has given so much to Barcelona I think he needs to find his own future and I hope his Country finds peace as well.
So sorry to see Guardiola go he has indeed done a great deal.
I also saw Athletic Bilbao yesterday playing against them and they are a really good Team they have done so well to get there to the final that is indeed something.
I feel Athletic Bilbao will give a lot to talk about in the future as well.xxx
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
26 May 12
He is strong. He is skillful. He is the kind of player who would give 100% every time he enters the field. Some people say he 'drops' easily with the slightest of touch from his opponents. I am not sure about that but he does fall a lot during a game. It can also be translated that he is a player always closely guarded by the defenders, and therefore, attempts to stop him from getting the ball may result in knocks and kicks.
He is still in his prime but he must know that his body will not be that strong for him with age. He may feel that it is a shame to play if by his standard, all that he could provide is just a mediocre performance. So he bows out when he is still at the top. We will always remember him for his heroic performance in Chelsea's European Cup triumph against Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
He has done his bit for the sport. He is also supportive of his country's peace settlement to the armed conflicts there. I hope he can see out his playing days smoothly in a less competitive league and enjoy his life with his family happily.
1 person likes this
@sjlskl (3382)
• Singapore
24 May 12
With his diving and play antics, Drogba can be a bad example and painful to watch. But when he is not doing that, he is one of the most deadly striker in soccer. Now that he has decided to left for a new adventure, good luck to him. With his last touch being the one that clinch Chelsea's first ever Champions League trophy, one can be assure that he will go into the Blues' folklore.
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
29 May 12
That is perhaps most of his criticisms are about. It shows that there are still a lot FIFA has to do to make the beautiful game more pretty. To just rely on what the referee decides is open to being abused and influenced. It is a fine line whether you are intentional or you are not. The same goes for whether the ball has crossed the line. If I do fall easily it does not necessary mean that I am play acting. It may mean that I am kicked and pulled more often. Is not the referee's decision final? That is the duty of the referee to judge if it is a free/penalty kick or a yellow card.
@donann80 (151)
•
23 May 12
It is sad that he is leaving, they could have offerred him two more season but obviously they want to build the team around torres. He has severe them well for the last 8 season. Where ever he goes he will do well and help the team to win trophies.
Good luck to him in the future.
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
29 May 12
It is unavoidable that a successful team has to always find ways to strengthen their squad to remain competitive. Chelsea had not been able to do it smoothly, I believe it was a result of their frequent change of managers. They lacked a long term on-going plan or even if they did have one, they got nobody to implement it as the people who had planned that was sacked. AVB would have been the person but he was not to be. Could Di Matteo do it if he is given the post? Nobody knows until he is confirmed there and does it.
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
24 May 12
Drogba is a classic example of a trademark center forward with all the physicality required for the job. He has simply been amazing for Chelsea during his 8 years at the club. Of course, he has won everything with them, with the Champions League the icing on the cake. What's brilliant is his performance in the big matches. He has scored in 4 FA Cup finals and the UEFA Champions League final as well. As an Arsenal fan, I am also quite relieved that the Top Drog is now leaving Chelsea. He has terrorized Arsenal defenses all of the 8 seasons that he has been at Chelsea!!
Cheers!
Ram
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
29 May 12
haha, He's lucky to be able to win the last piece of silverware, Champions league, during his last season there. Most players doesn't have his kind of luck and he ought to feel glad.. haha 
If chelsea didn't win it this season, i believe Drogba would have signed on for 1 year, since that's the only medal missing from his playing career 
Wherever he goes from now on, it's purely entertainment, playing to pass time.. haha
If chelsea didn't win it this season, i believe Drogba would have signed on for 1 year, since that's the only medal missing from his playing career Wherever he goes from now on, it's purely entertainment, playing to pass time.. haha @lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
24 May 12
Hiya jkct,
Think that Chelsea will need a couple of players like Makelele and Drogba to come along to help them out. But again I hope they can make it on their own as they have done it before.
Here in this Country almost everyone was saying that Chelsea was out before they were even in and I was not agreement. True they have been up against the bigger Guys but as I was saying to my kids don´t count your Chickens before they are hatched Chelesa and Arsenal almost always have a Card up their sleeve.
I also wish this for my hometown Team Wolverhampton Wanderers that have some real roller coaster seasons but they have been down only to come up again and again.
That is what the Game is all about to me some come and some go and what were they saying about Athletic Bilbao? Now look who is talking he he he.xxx
@TeamCholent (2832)
• United States
23 May 12
There is no doubt that he is one of the best payers to have worn the blue jersey for a long time and was a key reason for Chelsea performing so much but along with Didier came a lot of baggage with the new coaches etc that was unwanted. He is a great player but I beg to differ, I don't see 2 great seasons left in him at all. He should bow out like a classic just like Claude Makelele did with Chelsea a few seasons ago.
We thank him for his effort and know his bank account appreciated it 
1 person likes this
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
29 May 12
From the performances in his last season as a Chelsea player, he showed what he could do and he did get it done. So to expect him playing at least another season with the same efficiency is natural and not being far-fetched. Whether his age will catch up with him is still a big maybe. What baggage from Drogba do you mean will be for the new coach? There is no doubt that Drogba is a commanding player. But he would know that Torres is going to be the focus for Chelsea in the coming seasons. If Chelsea did offer him a 2 years contract extension, he would have signed it and he would know that he would be sharing the striker role with Torres, and very likely that he would play more as a reserve if Torres plays well.
As for his bank account, It is a willing seller willing buyer market. He got what he could get. He was not even the biggest earner in the team but he surely paid back all that Chelsea had spent on him.
@polaris77 (2039)
• Bacau, Romania
24 May 12
I think Didier Drogba's achievements at Chelsea turned him into a true symbol for the club to whom he dedicated a large part of his career;no matter where he will go he will always be in the hearts of Chelsea's fans;his departure is indeed a big loss for Chelsea because he still has an incredible vitality for his age and I'm sure he could have still played at the highest levels and scored goals for at least another season,but I think his desire to leave is understandable;after all,he won all the trophies in England and of course he fulfilled his dream of winning the most precious trophy,Champions League,so it's normal for him to try another adventure towards the end of his prodigious career.I wish him the best in China,where I'm convinced that he will win new titles,and I hope that after he quits playing he will go back one day to Chelsea as a manager or in another position that will allow him to work for the club that brought him the biggest satisfactions of his career.
