In the past 15 years, Chelsea Football Club has seen some the best moments in club history. At the height of the Blues’ success was the 2012 Champions League Final, a 1-1 penalty shootout thriller ending with Didier Drogba scoring the winning penalty.
For Drogba, this was just one example of his value in building Chelsea into the British power they are today.
Drogba began his professional career in 1998, playing in France until he made a big £24 million move to Stamford Bridge from Marseille. During his first stint with Chelsea from 2004-2012, Drogba would help the team win three Premier League titles, three League Cups, four FA Cups, and of course the big one that is the Champions League in 2012.
The 2012 Champions League final was both the high point of Drogba’s career, and also the high point of Chelsea’s football history.
In a game that was dominated by Bayern Munich, Drogba headed in the equalizing goal in the 88th minute, taking away what seemed like a certain victory from Bayern.
After a goalless period of extra time, Drogba was able to score the winning penalty kick, in what was the most appropriate send-off for a Chelsea legend in his reported last game for the club. The Ivorian also added to his amazing record of scoring in finals with that goal in Munich:
Drogba’s records in Chelsea finals #CFC pic.twitter.com/yHLgsbgIWs
— Cesc~ (@BlueTweets10) April 11, 2015
Drogba went on to play for one year in China followed by two years in the Turkish League with Galatasaray. While everyone thought Drogba had played his last game for Chelsea, the re-hiring of manager Jose Mourinho made the idea of a return “an easy decision” according to Drogba, who along with all his club success is also the all-time leading scorer for the Ivory Coast national team.
While Drogba was not the first or even second option at times this past season (even if he was helped by Loic Remy’s injuries), he was still able to chip in with seven goals.
Throughout his career, Drogba has been known as a lethal goalscorer and a clutch player, always able to be counted on by his teammates and coaches. While his legendary Chelsea career may be over, Drogba has stated he intends to play one more year:
“I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club. All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role.”
By scoring over 100 goals and bringing the European Cup to West London, Didier Drogba will always be considered a legend by Chelsea fans.
