• Champions League

Drogba: If Jose asked I'd listen

ESPN staff
February 25, 2014
ESPN FC: Jose's at it again

Didier Drogba has admitted he would consider a return to Chelsea if Jose Mourinho came calling for him.

The striker is set to face his old club in the Champions League tomorrow with Galatasaray, where he is out of contract in the summer.

Mourinho brought Drogba to Stamford Bridge for £24 million when he first took over at Chelsea in 2004. They won two league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups together before Mourinho departed in 2007.

While Drogba, 36, insists there has been no approach from Stamford Bridge he says Chelsea are the only club he would ever consider returning to the Premier League to play for.

"I had a great time at Chelsea. I was there eight years and if Jose Mourinho said 'I want you to come back' I'd think about it," said Drogba.

"But there has been no approach from the club, so there is no need to speak about it. It is just rumours.

"I don't know. If it could happen, it would only be with one team. I could not play for anyone else in England.

"The intensity of the Premier League has improved since I was there so the only way to answer whether I could still do it would be to put me in and give me a few months.

"I have a great desire to play and I feel young, I want to play even when it's a friendly and to play as much as I can. I still feel like a kid running after the ball.

"It's impossible to stop time but it's possible with intelligence on the pitch, and with my experience, to play at a high level even for two or three more years."

Drogba scored 157 goals for Chelsea and famously scored the winning penalty in their shootout victory over Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final.

He has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge in a player-coach capacity, but also reportedly has offers on the table from MLS sides in America, as well as a lucrative offer to stay in Turkey.

"I'm very happy at Galatasaray and the supporters have been great," added Drogba.

"We won the Turkish League last season and knocked Juventus out of the Champions League to get to the knockout stage.

"But I'm not over Chelsea yet and I don't want to be. People know how much I love the club and the fans.

"I can't forget what I've done there and all the memories. Chelsea will always have a special place in my heart and in my life.

"I will be happy to score but you have to show respect."

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