Didier Drogba returns to Chelsea: The Ivorian striker's Stamford Bridge highlights
The legendary striker is back for a second spell in west London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.With the news that Didier Drogba has returned to West London on a one-year deal, Chelsea fans will be excited at the prospect of seeing a club legend back playing at Stamford Bridge.
Drogba left in 2012 for Shanghai Shenhua after eight successful years before moving to Galatasaray in 2013 for a year and a half, but the Ivorian couldn’t resist the chance to work with the man who first signed him in 2004 for £24m.
So why has Jose Mourinho re-signed Drogba? Here’s a look back at his Chelsea highlights...
First League title
In his first season at Chelsea, Drogba helped Chelsea win their first league title in 50 years scoring 16 goals in the process.
Injury kept him out for two months of the campaign, but that didn’t prevent the Blues storming to glory with a record point’s total of 95.
League Cup Win
Drogba was the hero for Chelsea in the League Cup Final against Arsenal in 2007, when Mourinho’s men came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at the Millennium Stadium.
Theo Walcott put Arsenal ahead but two goals from Drogba sealed the win in a fiery match which saw John Obi Mikel sent off for Chelsea and Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor sent off for the Gunners.
FA Cup winner
The first FA Cup final win at the new Wembley went to Chelsea and another Didier Drogba goal was the difference in 2007.
Chelsea played Manchester United and Drogba was on hand to win the game in extra time.
2008 Champions League Semi-Final
Another Drogba highlight was his two goals against Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League Semi-Final which capped a wonderful performance from Drogba.
Rafa Benitez accused him of diving in the first leg but he made the headlines for the right reasons at Stamford Bridge with two goals to send Chelsea to a first Champions League Final in Moscow.
They would face Manchester United and end up losing on penalties.
2009 FA Cup Final
Chelsea faced Everton in the FA Cup final and after going a goal down – Louis Saha the scorer for the Toffies – Drogba replied with an equalising goal at a crucial time.
Saha scored in the first minute of the game and Drogba’s equaliser came in the 20th minute to put the Blues on their way to a second FA Cup in three years.
2010 FA Cup Final
Keeping up his exemplary record of scoring in the big matches – and more importantly in Finals - Drogba scored the winner against Portsmouth in the FA Cup final to help Chelsea complete the double.
Not only was it a year of team success but individual success for the Ivorian who won the golden boot that year.
Among all-time record scorers
Drogba scored his 99th Premier League goal for Chelsea on 25 February 2012, in a 3–0 win over Bolton Wanderers which was also his 151st goal for Chelsea, moving him up to 4th among the club's all-time goalscorers.
Placing him ahead of Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood it is the position he remains in on 157 goals.
100 Premier League goal
Drogba scored his 100th Premier League goal for Chelsea against Stoke City on 10 March 2012 in a 1-0 win.
2012 Champions League Final
Drogba’s proudest and most memorable night in a Chelsea shirt came in Munich on 19 May 2012.
Connecting with Juan Mata’s corner in the 88 minute, Drogba equalised to send the game to extra-time and then penalties, before scoring the winning penalty in a 4-3 shoot-out win – his last act in a Chelsea shirt
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments