Didier Drogba will be a part of the Chelsea family again one day, manager Jose Mourinho predicted ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Galatasaray.
Mourinho told reporters the 36-year-old Galatasaray striker was such an important part of Chelsea’s history that it was inevitable that he would be a Stamford Bridge employee again at some point in the future.
Drogba’s contract expires at the end of the season and media reports have linked him with a role as player-coach at the London club.
At a separate news conference earlier, the Ivorian also said he would like to return to Chelsea one day.
“He is one of the most important players in the history of this club. All we Chelsea supporters agree with that,” said Mourinho who goes into the home second leg with an advantage after drawing the opening match in Istanbul 1-1.
“We don’t say he is the most important because it’s not fair for other people who were at the same level and were of the same generation.
“His return has to happen one day, when I don’t know. As a player, as a coach, as an ambassador, next year, in four or five years, 10 years, I don’t know,” added Mourinho.
“But when a person gives so much to a club and a club represents so much to a person, as in this case, I think he has to be back one day.”
The Portuguese said it was not the right time to discuss a possible Drogba return.
“We know he is a free agent at the end of the season but this is not the right moment to speak about this,” said Mourinho.
“Is he the same player at 36 that he was at 26? I think nobody is but he’s one of the best strikers in the world, that’s for sure.”
Source: Supersport