Chelsea bound? Drogba spotted at Stamford Bridge

The veteran striker, who is reportedly flirting with retirement, watched his old club's draw with West Brom on Wednesday as a move back to west London draws ever closer

Posted Thursday, January 14, 2016 by Goal.com

Didier Drogba was forced to bat away rumours of his premature retirement last week, but it looks like he is still set to leave Montreal Impact for Chelsea one way or another.

The former Blues frontman was rumoured to have hung up his boots, thus voiding his contract with the MLS side, to make the long-mooted move to the Stamford Bridge backroom team.

New boss Guus Hiddink, under whom Drogba won the FA Cup, is a big admirer of the Ivorian and is keen to add him to his support staff – and he may have got his wish judging by some snaps emerging from the ground on Wednesday night.

Chelsea were in action against West Brom and, despite taking the lead twice, eventually settled for a disappointing 2-2 draw against Tony Pulis’s men.

But Drogba could be about to provide a huge boost to the Chelsea camp, having been spotted at the game and signing autographs outside Stamford Bridge afterwards, suggesting he could finally be set to join the coaching team at the club.

Drogba joined Hiddink for the Dutchman’s first match in charge following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, watching on from owner Roman Abramovich’s box as Sunderland were easily swept aside.

And Hiddink has been very vocal in his desire to get the 37-year-old on board in some capacity ever since, while Abramovich has been keen to reunite the pair for several months.

"We definitely intend to get him involved," confirmed the Dutchman at the end of 2015. "We want to get important players involved with the club they care about. Drogba's heart is with Chelsea."

A few weeks later he added: "It depends on the player himself, you need to give them time and opportunities to find out what the best is for them."

"It may be on the coaching staff or maybe as an ambassador, but that is too official and functional for me. They need to go into the squad and help players with their experience.