‘I Must Go Now, For My Work Here Is Done’ – Didier Drogba Confirms Chelsea Departure

By Chris Wright

“I must go now, for my work here is done”

As some fella once said: Go out on top and always leave ’em wanting more. Didier Drogba has just confirmed via the Chelsea website that, after eight long years at the club, he is to leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer when his contract dwindles to nothing on June 30th:

“I wanted to put an end the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea. It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am 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 have won every single trophy possible. [The Champions League Final] was a very special moment for everyone at the club and for all the fans. I am very proud to have played my part in bringing many trophies to this club, which has been my home for the last eight years.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club, especially Roman Abramovich and my team-mates.”

Drogba wanted another two years, Abramovich was only willing to offer him one – hence the parting of ways.

So, eight seasons, 157 goals, three Premier League titles, two Premier League golden boots, four FA Cups, two League Cups and one big fat Champions League-winning penalty later (not too shabby a way to go out, eh?), the Drog has been released into the wild and will more than likely put himself out to pasture in a China for a couple of years as he winds down on £400,000-a-week – though we imagine a few more illustrious suitors may come knocking over the summer. Word is Barcelona think they may be able to pry one more year out of him. Just saying.

Does he leave Chelsea a legend? You bet your sweet caboose he does! We won’t pretend that he didn’t have his flaws, but still – there goes one of the most genuinely fearsome strikers to have ever graced the English game.

Farewell and bon voyage Didier. You will be missed.

Posted in Chelsea, Transfers & Rumours

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27 Comments

  1. Scott Mac says:

    Didier went out with a bang. Say what you want about his flaws, but his story is one of the best out there. We’ll miss you KING Drogba.

  2. Tom says:

    Would like him to either go back to France, Milan or the MLS

  3. Nanny Pum says:

    Word is he’s going to give Tom Daley some last minute coaching before he moves on!!

  4. Neil says:

    Flaws? Oh, the diving, the whingeing, the cheating and the shameful example set to young players everywhere, gotcha. Yes, I’ll certainly miss all that.

  5. Wedge says:

    No fan of Chelsea but the Drog is an absolute monster of a striker. That header on Saturday was ridiculously good. He’s got his flaws, then so do a lot of players these days, but the bloke has something special.

  6. Murray says:

    Build the man a statue.

  7. Murray says:

    @Neil, I’m afraid nobody is listening. The man just carried Chelsea every step of the way through the Champions League to the final and to the most coveted club trophy in the world.

    He’s an immortal now, and nobody’s in the mood to hear a straight-up hater bitching and moaning about it; it doesn’t do a damn thing, anyway. Live with it.

  8. Sjakie Meulemans says:

    Please tell me this isn’t going to be the end of comments made by Camp Drog as well, Chris?

  9. The69ersFC says:

    What Wedge said.

  10. Wolf Haley says:

    @Murray

    The man is a statue

  11. muppets says:

    157 goals, 3 premier leagues, 4 fa cups, 2 carling cups, 1 champions league…..nuff said

  12. Emanon says:

    Drogba is from Ireland?

  13. syndex says:

    One of the few striker elite who made every free kick, throw in, corner, hell even goal kick a nightmare for everyone but chelsea fans. Chelsea will have a massive hole to fill this summer, I fully expect the transfer record to go whist they try to replace him, which is a testament to his abilites.

  14. pray4muamba says:

    truly a player of great strength, skil and ego. gonna miss him next year!

  15. sleeba says:

    Didier is an absolute enigma, colossus, dynamo, footballing genius and a big hearted man. He admits his own flaws, shortcomings etc. The money he will be making in China will help his foundation achieve it’s goal. Name me anyone else from the premiership who has achieved what he has.
    Any haters out there, can keep their Tevez’s, Barton’s Suerez’s, DD has wiped the floor with them all.
    Saturday in Munich will live with me forever because of his never say die attitude. Long Live the King.
    Build a statue? it’ll fall over.

  16. Scott Mac says:

    @Neil I’m not a footballer but I’m a “youngster” and I don’t think he set bad exaples. Using his money to build a charity to help the poor in his home town, and choosing to play for Ivory Coast rather than France sends a way bigger message to me than his diving or “cheating” ever did.

    I may get some heat for saying this but if he was a white and/or English, then he may even have been Chelsea’s captain all these years…

  17. Luke says:

    Well said @scott mac… the man may have fallen over a little too easily, but when he wasn’t doing that (and be honest, players with lesser profiles do it as much without getting any of the coverage or vilification) he’s also given all of his sponsorship money to building hospitals and flying kids with Lukemia half way around the world for treatment. Personally, I think that is a terrific example for kids. @Neil, you’re lucky you don’t live in Spain or Italy, where Drogba would probably be a candidate for the fair play award.

  18. Venny says:

    An amazing player and an even better person, it’s a shame to see him go.

  19. West End Blues says:

    Haters love pointing out his shortcomings but he was and is a great player and one of biggest philanthropists in football. He has great attitude, a big heart and is a true leader. What a man! Goodbye Drog, you will be sorely missed.

  20. Jamie says:

    For anyone criticising his integrity, the guy has given a shedload of money to charity and stopped a civil war. Easily outweighs going down easy during a football match.

  21. Patrick says:

    Feel I should point out that drogba dives much less than he did in his early days at chelsea. Against barca he went down to buy time and give his team mates a breather, admittedly not necessarily in the spirit of the game but he didn’t try to get players sent off or win penalties

  22. Toji says:

    I’m going to miss Didier a hell of a lot and I’m hoping Lukaku can grow into his mould.

    On his day, he’s the best striker in the world. When he gave 100%, no one could out-muscle him. He is a BEAST!

    Many of you have spoken of his flaws, everyone has flaws, no one is perfect. The immense charity work and stopping a civil war probably more than make up for it! Apparently the BBC reported he’s likely to be putting 50% of his wages towards the Didier Drogba Foundation.

    What a man, you’re a legend Didier! Come back to the Bridge whenever you want!!

  23. Vans says:

    I suppose a bit of going down easily to help the team he loes win outweighs stopping a civil war and all his charitable work. Some people are unbelievable. Well done to those who stood up for the Drog.

  24. Waterboy says:

    I hate him (for I am not a Chelsea fan). But he is my favourite striker in EPL. Farewell Drog.

  25. Jarren says:

    You know, when he first came to the premiership I actually hated him for a good few seasons.

    He was a bit of a cock, to be honest.

    But after seeing the dedication and passion he puts into his life (and not just in his professional career), I hold my hands up and say I really respect the man.

    He leaves Chelsea a legend, and what better way to say goodbye than to lift the European Cup after scoring the equalising goal when all seemed dead & buried and THEN scoring the shoot-out penalty that wins the cup?

    My god, that was the stuff of legends.

    Well done Chelsea, you’ve just got yourselves another hero.

    As much as I dislike Chelsea (the original Man City), I do respect their players who stay the distance.

    As a Man Utd fan who idolises Giggs, Neville & Scholes I understand loyalty very well.

    Good luck Didier on your future endeavours!

    Merci Beaucoup.

  26. Hilda Ikomi says:

    King Drogba, u are a legend. U are an idol ppl will worship 4 a very long time. Ur skill cannot b question. U came, u played and u won all. Dis is d best way to say goodby. U brought glamour, respect to epl. Let ppl talk about ur flaws it does not matter. We love u and will miss u

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