“He is coming with the mentality to make more history,” said Jose Mourinho after confirming that Chelsea have re-signed striker Didier Drogba on a one-year contract.
Drogba, who has re-joined on a free transfer, returns to the club he served with distinction over a period of eight seasons following a two-year absence, having established himself at Stamford Bridge as one of the most successful players in the Blues’ history.
During his first spell with the west Londoners, the 36-year-old, who was signed by Mourinho in his own first stint at the club in 2004, made 226 Barclays Premier League appearances and scored 100 goals.
An imposing physical presence with a clinical eye in front of goal Drogba helped Chelsea establish themselves as a major force in English and European club football, winning three Barclays Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups as well as the UEFA Champions League. Indeed, the Ivorian’s last act as a Chelsea player was to score the winning penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out against Bayern Munich – a match in which he had also conjured a late equalising header to force extra time.
“It was an easy decision,” Drogba, who has won the Premier League Golden Boot twice, told chelseafc.com. “I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work with Jose again. Everyone knows the special relationship I have with this club and it has always felt like home to me.
“My desire to win is still the same and I look forward to the opportunity to help this team. I am excited for this next chapter of my career.”
Since leaving Chelsea in 2012 Drogba has played for Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray, of the Turkish Super Lig, and the man responsible for bringing him to Chelsea in the first place believes he still has what it takes to thrive in the Barclays Premier League.
“He’s coming because he’s one of the best strikers in Europe,” added Mourinho, who has already signed striker Diego Costa, midfielder Cesc Fabregas and left-back Filipe Luis this summer. “I know his personality very well and I know if he comes back he’s not protected by history or what he’s done for this club previously. He is coming with the mentality to make more history.”
source:premierleague
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 