Chelsea legend Didier Drogba confirmed via Instagram that he will be leaving Turkish giants Galatasaray at the expiry of his contract this summer.
With his exit in mind, could the ageless Ivorian make a return to the Premier League?
The 36-year-old clearly still have plenty of love for his former club Chelsea, with Drogba claiming he was the “luckiest man in the Champions League” upon learning his Galatasaray would match up with the Blues in the competition.
Reports have indicated that Jose Mourinho could be interested in returning Drogba to the place he wont the Champions League in 2012, but that would likely be contingent on a number of things falling into place.
It is true that Chelsea are starving for striker help. However, with Diego Costa rumored to be on his way to Stamford Bridge, and both Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto’o already in place, there is simply no roster room for Drogba unless one of the incumbents were to leave.
However, there still could be plenty of places Drogba could land in the Premier League, given his experience and knowledge of the league, which can’t be underestimated.
With the following being pure speculation, Tottenham could use a striker of Drogba’s caliber, with Roberto Soldado having an underwhelming first season and Emmanuel Adebayor a bit overwhelmed with his workload towards the end of the season.
Arsenal would be glad to have Drogba’s services to back up Olivier Giroud, with the squad starving for depth up front. Everton could surely use him if Romelu Lukaku were to depart.
Even Liverpool could be a conceivable destination for the striker. Despite the overwhelming success Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge found this season, next year’s journey in the Champions League could test their depth and the pair have little behind them up front. Sturridge carried the team throughout Suarez’s early suspension, but could he do so again in a busier season?
The speculation is interesting and fun to imagine where Drogba could find himself playing, but with the striker bagging 15 goals in a Galatasaray shirt this past season, he clearly still has plenty to offer even at his advanced age. He would likely no longer be the feature striker, but slid into an already established attack, he could return to being a deadly force in the English top flight.
If he were to find himself outside of England, it’s conceivable he would look for another challenge to add to his resume, and maybe his former club could open up a door at Atletico Madrid were Chelsea to successfully pry Diego Costa from the La Liga champions.
Finally, it wouldn’t be inconceivable to see him try out the United States, and there’s no question Major League Soccer would welcome him with open arms.
Where do you see Drogba ending up at the start of next season?
