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Didier Drogba

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Report: Chelsea, Juventus agree to compensation for Sarri

By Andy EdwardsJun 13, 2019, 7:20 PM EDT
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Maurizio Sarri‘s first season in the Premier League will be his last — for now, at least — as Chelsea and Juventus have agreed a compensation package for the 60-year-old manager’s services, according to multiple reports out of the UK.

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Sarri guided the Blues to a third-place finish in the PL and a Europa League title, and was the first name linked with the eight-time reigning Serie A champions’ vacant managerial position after it was announced that Massimiliano Allegri wouldn’t return for a sixth season.

According to the Guardian, the fee paid to Chelsea could reach nearly $6.5 million. Part of the fee will be contingent upon Juve winning a straight straight scudetto, and/or the Champions League.

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As for who will replace Sarri at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has some thoughts about the managerial chops of Frank Lampard, who was, of course, one of his longest standing teammates.

“I think it is a very good option for the club. He has done well with Derby, taking the team to the playoff final.

Interestingly enough, Allegri is also said to be one of a few names in the running for the job despite saying he’ll take a season off to rest and recharge before returning elsewhere in 2020-21.

As for Lampard’s lack of managerial experience after just one season as Derby County boss, Drogba doesn’t sound too concerned and seems to think that greater opportunities need to be shown to young managers.

“So, he is never going to be ready, then? Does he have to wait until he is 50 to be ready? I think it depends on your experience and depends on your desire to succeed and do it. If he feels ready, I don’t think it is too early.”

Hazard glows after brace in Chelsea win

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By Nicholas MendolaDec 26, 2018, 4:47 PM EDT
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Eden Hazard is buzzing after breaking the 100-goal barrier for Chelsea, and supporters of the Blues are going to love his comments following a 2-1 win at Watford on Boxing Day.

[ RECAP: Watford 1-2 Chelsea ]

Hazard, 27, ends the day with 11 goals and nine assists this season for Chelsea and another two goals in the League Cup.

While he’s flirted with Real Madrid and the transfer market for some time, he’s feeling Chelsea this festive season. Here’s his response to breaking the century mark, via the BBC:

“It means a lot, especially because we won today. 101 goals with this amazing club is something i will never forget but now the fans, staff and players want more. I want to score more for this club and then try to be a legend like Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and John Terry.”

He even had jokes!

After playing another match as a center forward, Hazard claimed his versatility is beyond our expectations.

“I can even play at centre back,” he said. “My target is to score goals and to try and win the game, as a winger or a striker. I missed a couple of chances today, especially in the first half, but I scored two so its important to keep focus.”

USL Playoffs: FC Cincinnati, Phoenix’s Drogba stage farewell tours

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By Nicholas MendolaOct 26, 2018, 8:55 PM EDT
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The last three clubs to participate in the USL Cup Final are still alive in the 2018 edition of the USL Cup Playoffs, but all eyes are a fourth club.

FC Cincinnati hasn’t lost a match since May 26, the soon-to-be MLS club kickoff off a 24-match unbeaten run with a win over New York Red Bulls II a week later.

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Those two sides meet in the quarterfinals on Saturday, a match-up of the top team in the league and a Red Bulls side which won the cup in 2016.

The winner will meet either No. 2 seed Louisville City or No. 6 Bethlehem Steel. Louisville is led by USL Golden Boot winner Cameron Lancaster, a 25-year-old Londoner who made a single 12-minute appearance for Tottenham Hotspur against Wigan in 2014.

Out West, there’s another Premier League experienced player who plenty more neutrals have known for some time. Didier Drogba returned after four months off to play three of Phoenix Rising’s final four regular season matches, turning on the juice with a goal in the first round of the playoffs as Phoenix blew out Portland Timbers 2.

Phoenix faces No. 7 seed Swope Park Rangers, which has lost the past two USL Cup finals and should not be overlooked.

The fourth quarterfinal sees Orange County SC and Reno 1868 FC meeting in Irvine. OC is paced by former Akron University standout Aodhan Quinn, who has 11 goals and 15 assists. Former Southampton man Jos Hooiveld is also on the squad, and may be tasked with shutting down Jamaican striker Brian Brown.

Phoenix Rising releases gorgeous soccer-specific stadium renderings

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By Daniel KarellMar 15, 2018, 1:27 PM EDT
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The Phoenix Rising FC franchise is bidding for an MLS expansion bid some time down the road, and the club just showed off what it could offer to MLS in terms of a home venue.

The club released its first stadium renderings for an open-air 21,000 seat stadium with an awning over the seats but an opening over the playing surface. Phoenix Rising is working with stadium design firm Populous and a local firm to design the futuristic-looking stadium.

Phoenix Rising is co-owned by former Chelsea great Didier Drogba, who is playing his final season on the field this year.

Due to Phoenix’s hot climate, especially during July and August – the middle of the soccer season in the U.S. – the club is proposing a stadium that is engineered to maximize wind and airflow through the concourses and entrances, water walls to cool fans as they enter the stadium, and plenty of shade in the seats. The majority of seats will be on the west-end of the stadium, facing away from the sun.

“The renderings really bring the stadium to life,” said Brett Johnson, co-chairman for Phoenix Rising FC. “We are excited for the fans to see the innovative, one-of-a-kind design with special attention paid to maximizing shade and airflow in the stadium to ensure player and fan comfort.”

Regardless of if Phoenix Rising makes it to MLS, if the ownership group commits to fund and build a modern stadium as close to the renderings as possible, it can only be a boon to professional soccer in the Southwest.

There are some controversies involved though. Due to the climate, it would be tough to play games during the dog days of summer at home, forcing Phoenix to possible play a majority of its summer matches on the road or later in the evening once the sun has set.

In addition, the stadium site is located 10 miles east of downtown Phoenix. According to a report from SI.com, MLS has allowed the site to be used, but it bucks the trend and request from MLS for teams to build downtown stadiums that can attract more fans. Phoenix’s argument with their preferred stadium site is that it’s located near two highways and isn’t far from Arizona State University.

The site is located on land owned by Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, which has made the land purchase complicated as well. But if the team feels comfortable enough to release stadium renderings, perhaps they feel confident a land deal will be agreed soon.

Ahead of last season, Drogba admits interest in Marseille role

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By Nicholas MendolaMar 12, 2018, 11:05 AM EDT
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Didier Drogba loves everything about soccer, but his time on the field is finally coming to a close.

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The Phoenix Rising owner turned 40 on Sunday, and signaled the end of his playing career in November with an announcement than the 2018 USL season would be his last.

But a Telefoot interview shows the player-owner may take a role with American businessman Frank McCourt’s Marseille project (translated by ESPN):

“We’ll have to see what is offered. I’m always ready to help. … In any case, Marseille are showing good things this year. Rudi Garcia’s project is taking shape, they’re building a team with young players. It’s excellent to stay in the top three with a team like that. As a fan, I have a lot of faith in them.”

Drogba scored 32 times in his only season at Marseille.

He also netted nine times with three assists in 14 appearances last season as Phoenix finished fifth in the USL’s Western Conference before bowing out in penalty kicks against Swope Park Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.