Chelsea have confirmed their Champions League hero Didier Drogba is leaving the club which, on top of speculation regarding interim boss Roberto Di Matteo and signs of unrest from Fernando Torres, all means it promises to be a busy summer around Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 9/2 – Premier League Outright 2012/13).
It could be said simply that Chelsea would not have won the Champions League on Saturday without Drogba. Adding to the fact it was his goal that beat Barcelona in the first leg at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final before he converted to quite an impressive left-back for long periods of the second leg, it was also Drogba who scored a wonderful header to force extra-time in Munich, and who else but the Ivorian stroked in the winning penalty to send Chelsea fans into delirium and give Roman Abramovich what he has always desired.
That Champions League win, courtesy of Drogba’s right foot from 12 yards, has led every man and his dog to call for Di Matteo, who took over after Andre Villas-Boas (11/4 – Next Permanent Liverpool Manager) was shown the door, to be given the manager’s job properly at Chelsea.
It would be a bold move for the Russian chairman to look elsewhere given the calls for the Italian to get the job. A more realistic vision could be for Di Matteo to get a one-year rolling contract, which means that in 12 months’ time Chelsea could welcome former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola with open arms if he wants to make a comeback to football following his self-imposed sabbatical.
With Drogba, who himself has been linked with a possible move to Barcelona but could be more likely for a big pay day over with former Blues striking partner Nicolas Anelka in China, going then that could open the door for Torres.
There is no doubt the Spaniard has looked a shadow of his former self since a massive £50 million move but the Chelsea fans have stuck with him as he got his head down and worked hard for the team. Indeed, his form really picked up towards the back end of the season.
But it remains to be seen how faithful they will be to him now after Torres effectively soured the Champions League celebrations by speaking out to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague and criticising how he has been treated.
Torres may wish he had kept his mouth shut as there remains a big chance the team could be fitted around him in the post-Drogba era – if they persevere with him after his outburst.
With the Ivory Coast man leaving that means Torres and Daniel Sturridge, who looked impressive in the first half of the season but then went off the boil and seemed to turn more selfish and frustrating for fans as the campaign went on, remain the leading forwards on the books at Stamford Bridge. And let’s not forget Romelu Lukaku, who made a sum total of eight appearances since signing for £13 million last summer.
Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia have been linked to possibly replace Drogba but it remains to be seen how Chelsea’s transfer policy will play out until they confirm a new manager – although they do have a history of signing players without consulting the boss – Andrei Shevchenko springs to mind – and those higher up have seemed to be behind the signings of Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne over the last few months.
Chelsea used to be the big powerhouses when it comes to spending but Manchester City (11/8 – Premier League Outright 2012/13) have leapfrogged them over the last two years, and how the Blues would love to be able to splash out on a Sergio Aguero this summer.
They would also dream of someone of the calibre of Arsenal (10/1 – Premier League Outright) striker Robin van Persie, but the Blues will face massive competition if they wish to get a top, top striker. The fact they are Champions League holders will help them when it comes to attracting players this summer, but it would be a masterstroke to get a true replacement for Drogba.
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