3 reasons why Drogba’s Chelsea return is a Mourinho blunder

Jose Mourinho is professing that the decision to bring 36-year-old striker Didier Drogba back to Chelsea on a playing contract will be made in a “non-emotional way.”

The Blues boss went on to stress that Drogba still possessed “certain qualities to make the team stronger” hinting the Ivorian would not be brought back to the 15/8 title shots, simply to make up the numbers.

On the surface at least, bringing back a legend to the club has obvious appeal, not least to Drogba’s adoring fans, but wipe away the thin layer of gloss and this is a pretty poor decision from Mourinho.

Drogba will detest being left on the bench

Drama queen, play actor or plain old sulk are all criticisms that were levelled at the striker during his time at the Bridge, despite his insatiable appetite for goals in a Blue shirt.

One thing Drogba has never been though is a ‘reserve’. In Mourinho’s preferred solo striker system new £32m signing Diego Costa has to be first choice, while Roman Abramovich is still hoping Fernando Torres’ fortunes are revivable after shelling out £50m on him.

Even at 36 Drogba will feel he’s the main man and if he’s regularly shelved it will only be a matter of time until his stroppy, disruptive side comes to bare.

It’s the last thing Torres needs if he’s to spring into life

As mentioned above, Torres’ paper-thin Chelsea psyche will not be aided in any way by the return of Drogba.

The shadow cast by such a big player and personality in the club’s fabric formed part of the reason for the Spaniard’s shaky start to his Chelsea career.

Drogba’s age means his best attributes will have been dulled

In his pomp Drogba was arguably still the most fear-inducing striker that any Premier League defence has had to deal with.

Just ask former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who regularly struggled against him, what it was like to battle with a player as strong, quick and skilful as a rampaging Drogba.

However, his touch may still be there, but after two years away from the physical mêlée of the Premier League and the wrong side of 35, Drogba has lost two of his greatest attributes.

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