Didier Drogba Comments on Future Before Final Game with Chelsea

Sunday's Premier League finale between Chelsea and Sunderland may be Didier Drogba's swan song with the Blues, but it doesn't appear it will be his swan song as a player.  

"I want to play for at least one more season and in order to play more football I feel I need to go to another club," Drogba told Chelsea's official site. "All the fans know my love for Chelsea and I hope to be back here in the future in another role."

It's not hugely shocking. Drogba found himself behind Diego Costa and Loic Remy on the depth chart for much of the season, making just seven Premier League starts and scoring four goals and an assist. Still, manager Jose Mourinho established a role for the veteran forward as a super substitute, as Drogba came off the bench 20 times in Premier League play. 

While his 6.45 average match rating in league play wasn't exactly inspiring, his two goals, one assist and 6.93 average match rating in five Champions League appearances were all solid marks, per WhoScored.com. It's likely Mourinho would have found a role for Drogba next season as well, should the forward have desired to stay. 

But Drogba is likely to find more time on the pitch with another club. And, of course, Drogba will be remembered as a Chelsea legend after his two tenures with the club.

"Everyone at Chelsea Football Club would like to thank Didier for his fantastic service and he is always welcome back to Stamford Bridge," Chelsea's site wrote in response to Drogba's decision to leave after the season. "We are sure all our fans would like to join us in wishing him well for the future and thanking him for giving us so many wonderful memories."