Journeying back. Could Didier Drogba be making a nostalgic trip to France for Olympique Marseille, where his career spun off?
Interviewed by Canal+, the former Ivorian star striker acknowledged the possibility saying, “There is an option to return to France, but I will say no more.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I hope to be able to hold my promise one day (to return to Marseille). It can be done. You just have to take the time to sit down and talk.”[/perfectpullquote]
But while his return maybe an emotional one, the feasibility of it is just as important prior to any contract signing that could see him back with the French club, after one season (2003/04) followed by his move to Chelsea Football Club.
“My comeback at Marseille is the eternal question for more than 12 years now. Every time I answered, people say, ‘He speaks, he speaks, but he does not come back’. But it did not depend on me alone.
“You let a player go, he grows up, he earns his living well financially and then, you want him to come back and half his salary?
“Then I heard, ‘Is it he does not like Marseille?’ But no, who works to win less? No one.
“Of course, I would like to come back as a player. I even did what was necessary to make it happen. But I can’t force the board to bring me back.”
Drogba’s sole season at Marseille was impactful as well as spiraling, with 32 goals in 54 matches, catching the attention of one of Europe’s top clubs. Since then, he has become an icon at Stamford Bridge and one of the best strikers in the world as well as, for Ivory Coast.
But the 38-year-old is far from done. “I want to play,” he added.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”I still have my legs and I’m still like a kid with the ball. My knee got a bit annoyed (last season), but I feel good. Why should I stop?”[/perfectpullquote]
While weighing in on a possible return, the former Ivory Coast striker – who is without a club since leaving Major League Soccer side, Montreal Impact at the end of 2016 – was alleged to make a return to Stamford Bridge as a striking coach. Coaching may not be entirely a dismissive idea but, it all comes down to progressiveness.
“It would also allow me to create a smooth transition (into a post-playing career),” Drogba added.
Featured Photo: Didier Drogba still hanging onto his boots with a possible move back to Marseille. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP/GETTY)
