Didier Drogba has almost certainly kicked his last ball for Chelsea, with the club expecting him to confirm his free transfer to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.
It means the 34-year-old striker’s last touch in a Chelsea shirt was to score the winning penalty in the Champions League final shootout with Bayern Munich. He joined his teammates in their open top bus parade on Sunday, but is now set to link up with former teammate Nicolas Anelka in China on a contract with a net worth of around £250,000 a week. His departure will be followed by fresh investment from Roman Abramovich. Chelsea hope to steal ahead of Manchester City to capture Lille playmaker Eden Hazard, who dazzled in his club’s final game of the season on Sunday. Owner Abramovich addressed his European champions by declaring “this is just the beginning” for Chelsea.
The Russian oligarch has pumped £1billion into his club and marched into the dressing room after seeing his side clinch a dramatic victory to make it clear there would be more money spent. This week he will meet interim manager Roberto Di Matteo to discuss his future and Daily Mail understands there is a good chance the Italian could be offered another contract – perhaps one that enables Abramovich to wait for Pep Guardiola while the former Barcelona boss takes a sabbatical.
On Sunday, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck admitted Di Matteo had received the full backing of the players, who sang that he should be given the job in the dressing room with Abramovich present.
“He’s (Di Matteo) certainly done a lot,” said Buck. “We’ve heard from a number of the players that they’d like to see him as manager. There’s no doubt we recognise the great contribution Robbie has made to the club, not just in bringing home two trophies but really in turning around the confidence of these players.”
Buck said chief executive Ron Gourlay would meet with Drogba’s agent. “We love Didier. He’s a great player, but we have to think about what’s right for Didier and for Chelsea. He’s a man for the big game and always has been.” – Daily Mail