A massive revamp operation is being undertaken by new manager Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea. One of the biggest things that seems to be worrying him at the moment is the decision over star striker Didier Drogba.
Didier Drogba has been at Chelsea since 2004 and is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. However, the striker will be soon turning 34 years of age in March and it is something that Villas-Boas has to consider before offering him a two-year contract. Didier Drogba has categorically stated that he is unwilling to accept anything other than a two-year contract, but Chelsea are prepared to offer him only one at extension to his current £ 120,000 a week deal.
As a result, Drogba – who has only six months left on his current contract – his now free to talk with other clubs regarding a potential move. Striker Nicolas Anelka has already been sold to a Chinese club in the January transfer window, and it is understood that Villas-Boas is not keen on losing yet another striker at this stage of the season. Even though Chelsea’s chances of winning the Premier League title looks very slim, Villas-Boas is at least looking at the prospect of challenging for the Champions League title.
It has been reported that Didier Drogba could be lured to China with a reported £ 400,000 per week wage packet. However, such rumours have been dismissed by the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, who has signed Nicolas Anelka on a £ 200,000 per week salary. It is highly unlikely that Chelsea will be able to offer such extravagant amounts of money to a player who is coming to the end of his contract. It will be interesting to see the performance of Fernando Torres in the absence of Didier Drogba.