The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Drogba calls time on Chelsea career
WINNING THE Champions League after a painstaking wait convinced Didier Drogba the time was right to leave Chelsea.
The Ivory Coast striker, who scored the equaliser and then the winning penalty in Saturday’s dramatic final win over Bayern Munich, announced yesterday he is leaving the club to pursue a career elsewhere.
He departs Stamford Bridge with his reputation as one of the club’s greatest-ever players firmly intact, but he knows it could have been so much different.
Ever since the 34-year-old joined the club from Marseille in 2004 they have been chasing the European Cup, and after so many near misses, Drogba’s final kick for them earned them the prize they coveted so much.
Had he not have scored and Bayern gone on to win, he admits he may have been tempted to stay, but with all his loose ends tied up he is moving on to a new chapter.
He said: “I think winning the game was the key. Not me scoring the penalty.
“Winning the game was the turning point, that’s why I have decided to say goodbye.
“We made the story together and I want people to remember that. This is the best time to move on.
“Yes, there’s a chance that if the result was different, maybe I would be here.
“We were talking for many weeks, but the turning point was based on the fact I won everything I could and scored in most of the finals we have played, trying to make a difference.
“I hope everyone will understand. Everything I did was for the fans and I hope they understand.”
Goalkeeper Petr Cech claimed he heard his team-mate crying after the final, and although he has been prone to emotional outbursts during his time in England, Drogba insists he was doing nothing of the sort.
“I wasn’t crying,” he said. “I was talking to myself. I was crazy for a few minutes. I was saying that I wasn’t going to cry, and that God is wonderful.
“I was saying, ‘We have been chasing this for eight years, we have had a hard time, and she was difficult, but now I understand why. It is wonderful’.”
It been reported Drogba’s next move will take him to China to link up with former team-mate Nicolas Anelka.
He would not confirm that, but did say that should Chelsea ever need him once his playing days are over, he will always be happy to answer their call.
“I would love to help Chelsea in any way, even if they tell me to come and cut the grass. I will do it,” he said.
“Being here for eight years, it will be a big change. Players will go, some stay, but the club will remain as ambitious as it has always been. I am not worried. Chelsea was there before I came and always will be.”