Farewells can be shattering, especially after one has given everything he could possibly muster to deliver a dream to his family. A dream that made the family and himself, invincible. A dream that etched his name in the history of football. When the whole world was proven wrong time and time again because he made it happen. When the onus of winning us the impossible lied on his shoulders, he made it happen. Against the best keeper in the world, who was brimming with confidence after his own successful penalty kick. His tall frame would make the fiercest enemies tense during a penalty shootout. The way he jumped and touched the crossbar suddenly made the goal look so small. But Drogba, his face glistening with sweat after a long and tiring game, remained focused. This was not the time for exhaustion. He knew he may not get this chance again. This was his chance to leave a legacy, be immortal. A three step run up didn’t bring much confidence in the hearts of the supporters. Was he nervous? Did he want to get over with it quickly? Was he that confident? Was he going to bottle this one chance? But these questions faded away after the ball nestled in the net. The Blue part of the stadium erupted in cheers. The team broke out in a frenzy. Such emotions are hard to describe. Yes, he made it happen. With what looked like his last kick in Blue.
Very few players get to end their football career in their beloved club the way he did. Very few players are loved the way he is, at Stamford Bridge. The King left at the right time because it was time for the club to move on from that era. It was time for the club to not rest on his shoulders for achieving success. We had to move on, he felt that, and left. But at that moment, we didn’t just lose a player of immense quality, we lost a leader. With the Spaniard always living under a huge shadow of expectations, we were simply, toothless. Seasons went by, new players came in but we never saw anyone leading from the front, the way Drogba did. There were times, when a striker missed a chance or a half-chance, people would say things like “Drogba would’ve put that one in easily” and no one would retaliate. We never really moved on. Because the hole he left was never filled.
“I would never imagine him coming back to the club as a player. He ended his Chelsea career in the best possible way. His decision to move was best for both, him and the club”
A very common and a sensible viewpoint for most fans. There are fans who never wanted to see him as a player because it was time to look upto a younger player to lead us upfront. And then, there are fans who didn’t want him to be remembered as a player who failed miserably on his return. Nevertheless, he has returned. What troubles me is the mixed reaction from the fans on his arrival. People aren’t exactly happy to see him come back because they can’t put faith in a player who won them the Champions League not long ago. Do a couple of years on his engine matter so much that people are expecting a failure? He was too old to win us the Champions League, people said. People underestimated him, and our team. Now I see our own set of fans, underestimating his ability. This troubles me. In the past, we put our faith blindly on him to deliver against the most staggering odds. Now a certain set of fans think that this return will tarnish his memory.