Champions League victory prompted Drogba's exit

Didier Drogba would have sought to stay at Chelsea had the club been thwarted in their pursuit of the Champions League and the…

Didier Drogba would have sought to stay at Chelsea had the club been thwarted in their pursuit of the Champions League and the team’s success in Munich on Saturday provided the perfect denouement to his eight-year career at Stamford Bridge.

The Ivory Coast forward has confirmed his intention to leave the European Cup winners upon the expiry of his contract next month and will now deliberate with his family over where he will play his football next season.

The money-flushed Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, managed by his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka, remains his most likely destination.

The 34-year-old’s decision was determined only after Bayern Munich were defeated at the weekend, with his last touch for the club proving to be the decisive penalty in the shootout at the Allianz Arena.

READ MORE

“I would have stayed if we hadn’t won the Champions League,” said Drogba. “ It would have been very difficult to leave if we hadn’t won the Champions League because we have been chasing this trophy for eight years, since I have been here.”