Chelsea's Champions' League hero Didier Drogba. Photo credit: Ben Sutherland http://flic.kr/p/95NYfw
The background
Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba has confirmed he is leaving Chelsea, his club side of eight years. The announcement brings to an end speculation that he would leave on a high having spearheaded Chelsea’s historic first UEFA Champions’ League win on Saturday. Drogba leaves as Chelsea’s leading goalscorer in European comps (34 goals) and their fourth highest scorer in all competitions (157). Here’s the best Twitter reactions to Drogba’s announcement, as selected by The Periscope Post.
That noise you can hear is Fernando Torres bouncing on his bed in delight.
— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) May 22, 2012
“It has been a very difficult decision & I am very proud of what we have achieved but the time is right for a new challenge,” said Drogba.
If there is a case against Drogba: was he unplayable under Mourinho, Hiddink, Ancelotti + Di Matteo but unarsed under Grant, Scolari + AVB?
— Jack Pitt-Brooke (@JPBIndy) May 22, 2012
So it’s true Drogba is a Chelsea player no more. Not even Peter Osgood could match what he did in Munich. Didier’s Bar a cert for the Bridge
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) May 22, 2012
Didier Drogba leaves Chelsea as one of club’s truly great players – his deeds in finals alone assures that. Magnificent striker at his best,
— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) May 22, 2012
Drogba only scored five goals in the Barclays Premier League this season but he scored in both the FA Cup Final and Champions’ League final.
He’s not always had the easiest relationship with the press but, fair play to Drogba, he chatted for an hour at SB today. We’ll miss him
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceIndy) May 22, 2012