Drogba to return to Chelsea

– Reuters picMONTREAL, Dec 19 ― The Montreal Impact today denied that striker Didier Drogba had been contacted about a return to English Premier League club Chelsea, in turmoil since sacking manager Jose Mourinho.

The former Blues striker was in attendance at Stamford Bridge as he watched the Premier League champions beat Sunderland alongside owner Roman Abramovich and new caretaker manager Guus Hiddink.

Drogba has sent the rumour mill into overdrive this afternoon – pitching up at Stamford Bridge for the match against the Black Cats. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment.

Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho this week as the disastrous defence of the their Premier League title continues with the Blues just one point above the relegation zone after losing 9 of their first 16 league games.

Drogba has played under Hiddink before when the Dutchman took interim charge of Chelsea in 2009. “However, I am sure we can all turn this season around”, Hiddink said in a club statement. Drogba’s appointment as a staff member could accelerate the healing process of Mourinho’s sacking.

After winning a fourth league title with Drogba in 2014-15, the club went into a tailspin.

Drogba scored 12 goals in 14 matches for Montreal after signing with the MLS club in July following the end of his second spell at Chelsea.

However, he made a great impression in his brief stay in London in 2009 and proved popular with the Chelsea players.

Meanwhile, Mourinho has been linked to Manchester United, who are struggling under Louis van Gaal.