Didier Drogba: Jose Mourinho says Chelsea will retain striker

• Posted on December 5, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Striker Didier Drogba will have a role to play at Chelsea when he quits playing, says Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

The 36-year-old Drogba, in his second spell at the club, scored as Chealsea beat Tottenham 3-0 on Wednesday.

“The important thing is he is here and will finish his career with Chelsea,” said Mourinho, whose team top the Premier League by six points.

Mourinho added: “It looks, for me, that he’s going to stay doing other things when he finishes his career.”

Drogba won 10 trophies in his first spell at Chelsea between 2004 and 2012, and scored 157 goals in 341 games. He rejoined the club at the start of the season after leaving Turkish side Galatasaray.

Since returning to Stamford Bridge, the Ivorian has netted five times and set up Eden Hazard’s opener against Spurs.

The league leaders are now unbeaten in 23 games in all competitions, equalling a club record.

“It’s remarkable,” said Mourinho, when asked about Drogba’s displays. “First of all, he’s a team player. He’s not selfish, not vain. He’s a humble guy who plays for the team, fights for the team. He’s fantastic.

“I was expecting exactly this. I played against him at Real Madrid and I could feel the kind of potential he still has.”

Mourinho also confirmed Gary Cahill suffered no lasting damage after the defender was substituted at half-time against Tottenham following an earlier clash of heads with Jan Vertonghen.

“No concussion, no need for special care,” Mourinho said. “He was just feeling maybe afraid of heading the ball.”

-BBC