Didier Drogba to leave Chelsea

[King_Rizzy]

According to various media sources, Chelsea have announced that Drogba will be leaving the club.

I must say I thought he was going to stay after his heroics in the Champions League, but it wasn't to be.

He's had a great Chelsea career and will be regarded as a legend there.

[mufassir]

Great player a legend of chelsea and one of the greatest strikers of all time.Thanks for all the memories Didier!!!

[Hasnain_786]

Great player of Chelsea. Never will be forgotten.

[Geordie Ahmed]

He ends on a high, good time to leave. He has been a class player for Chelsea

On form Drogba was just phenomenal, a bit of a shame he regularly dived, pretended to be hurt etc etc BUT no doubts when he played football he was quality

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

Ended on the ultimate high. Top player, and a Chelsea legend.

[Hasnain_786]

Drogba confirms he will be leaving

Didier Drogba finally brought down the curtain on his glorious Chelsea career on Tuesday. The striker confirmed that he is leaving the club when his contract runs out at the end of June. The 34-year-old Ivory Coast international has spent eight years at Chelsea, scoring 157 goals in 341 appearances, and helped the Blues to win 10 titles. One of those titles, of course, was the Champions League victory over Bayern Munich on Saturday, when Drogba scored a late equaliser in normal time and then netted the winning kick in the penalty shootout. He said: "I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea. It has been a very difficult decision for me to make, but I am very proud of what we have achieved. As a team we have accomplished so much, and have won every single trophy possible. Saturday was a very special moment for everyone at the club and for all the fans, and 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, many of whom have become very close friends and will be my friends for life. I would also like to say a very special thank you to the Chelsea fans, who have shown me so much love and support over the years. "I wish the club all the best and continued success for the future – you will always be in my heart." Chelsea, meanwhile, praised the striker's contribution to the most successful era of the club's history. The chief executive, Ron Gourlay, said: "Didier is undoubtedly a Chelsea legend and will always be part of the Chelsea family. He is certainly leaving on a high after Saturday night but he feels the time is right for a new challenge. "Of course Didier has contributed so much to all of Chelsea's recent successes. He has been a consummate professional during his entire time here and as one of the natural leaders in our squad he has been an inspiration to a lot of our younger players. "We have known for some time that this outcome was likely but Didier and the club only made a final decision on that in the last couple of days, because for obvious reasons neither Didier nor the club wanted to distract focus away from the Champions League final. The talks were amicable all the way through and we wish him all the best for the future. He is welcome back to Stamford Bridge at any time – either as a player or as a guest of ours." Drogba leaves Chelsea having scored 157 goals in 341 appearances. He is the club's fourth all-time highest scorer, his 34 goals in European competition is a Chelsea record by 10 goals and managed nine strikes in nine cup finals. He won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two Carling Cups and, finally, the Champions League. He has been named Chelsea's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year and won the Premier League golden boot twice

Sauce: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...leaves-chelsea

Good to see him leaving on a high and he will never be forgotten

Who would have taught the last kick of Chelsea FC would win him the Champions League

[161]

Good time for him to leave .. if he's got any fight left in him he'll join Barca instead of going to China.

[mufassir]

Drogba On a potential Chelsea return. He would love to come back to the club in some capacity, although he's not sure if the pressure of being manager is for him. His words: "If Chelsea ask me to come cut the grass, I will do it!".

[James]

A legend for Chelsea, in English football as a centre forward, and also what he has done for the Ivory Coast. Any of the bitter teenagers in their River Island t shirts out there should read about what Didier has contributed back home to improve his country. A good-natured gentleman who will be missed.

[SempreSami]

Nob on the pitch, saint off it.

[Square Drive]

His 2 goals in the champions league final against Bayern Munich will be remembered. Well done legend!

[Chicharito14Hernandez]

Originally Posted by SempreSami Nob on the pitch, saint off it.

Pretty much sums him up as a United fan.

[sully3]

as a United fan always wanted him at United.. Perhaps Drogba hasn't had the career he should have had, came quiet late to a big club and didn't score as many goals as a striker of his quality should. But one thing i can tell you, he is the biggest of the big game players i have ever seen in my life. His record in cup finals is ridiculous, apparently has scored in the last 9 finals he has played in.

he dived alot and moaned when his team was beaten, but i for one will always remember him as a guy you would have have in your team if you are playing a final or a big game. fitting that his last kick for Chelsea was the penalty which won them the CL.

[PakFan2010]

Drogba's a fantastic striker.

Definately a Chelsea legend.