LONDON: Didier Drogba is heading back to Chelsea with a one-year playing contract on the agenda and then a role on the coaching staff.

The Ivory Coast international left Stamford Bridge in 2012 after scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final against FC Bayern in Munich. Now he is a free agent after leaving Galatasaray with whom he played against Chelsea in the Champions League last season.

Manager Jose Mourinho indicated then that he would be happy to see Drogba back at Chelsea in one role or another and the fans endorsed that by giving the Ivorien a magnificent reception.

Drogba has other options. Manchester City are considering a short-term offer after Alvaro Negredo suffered a metatarsal injury which will sideline him for up to three months. He has also been linked with Juventus.

However the 36-year-old still has property and close links to London. Earlier this year, asked about his time at Chelsea, he said: “When you’re happy at a club, you want to stay forever. You don’t stay eight years in a place you don’t like, especially in football.”

At the World Cup Drogba made one start and two substitute appearances as his country were eliminated at the group stage after winning one of their three games. His Chelsea career brought him three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups and a Champions League.

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