Chelsea Transfer News: Didier Drogba Fans Rumours with Wilfried Bony Endorsement

Jose Mourinho has received a recommendation from Didier Drogba pointing out compatriot Wilfried Bony as the striker most deserving of his manager's attention.

The Blues are already thriving off the goals Diego Costa has brought them since his 2014 arrival, but Duncan Wright of the Daily Star writes that Bony is next in line to lead Mourinho's attack.

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According to Wright's report, a player-plus-cash bid involving fringe star Loic Remy could be enough to tempt the Swans into selling, although a host of other club's hold interest in Bony's services.

BBC Sport's Oluwashina Okeleji provides some insight into just why Chelsea may need another striker, too, citing the Express in reporting that Drogba could retire at the end of the 2014-15 season:

With one Ivorian leaving, Mourinho would need to replenish his options up front, with the veteran seemingly seeing countryman Bony as a similar asset who deserves his move up to the European elite.

Jack Pitt-Brooke of the The Independent may agree, identifying Bony as a "top player" whose work in small spaces is a talent not befitting of one his size:

One can see where the similarities between Drogba and Bony emerge; aside from their shared nationality, both players are strong, athletic frontmen who prey through means of power more than anything else.

However, as Pitt-Brooke suggests, Bony has brought a more finely tuned presence to Garry Monk's attack, capable of far more nimble manoeuvres than one might first associate.

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Since arriving on England's shores in the summer of 2013, the former Vitesse Arnhem hitman has proven to be a reliably prolific scorer and a large reason behind any recent successes Swansea City have enjoyed.

The 26-year-old currently sits not far off the likes of Costa and Sergio Aguero in this season's Premier League scoring ranks, per the division's official Twitter account:

Drogba's word undoubtedly holds sway with Mourinho, too, a man with whom he has built a deep connection over the years, stretching over two separate tenures at Stamford Bridge each.

James Masters of The Times ensures that Chelsea won't be the only ones looking to poach Bony's services, however, with Manchester City said to be interested:

In order to prise Bony away from the Liberty Stadium, a fee similar to that of the £32 million which took Costa away from the Vicente Calderon would be required.

In many ways, it's far less of a risk than Costa, considering Bony has already impressed on English borders and one would assume Drogba is wildly familiar with his Ivory Coast team-mate.

The Swans will put up a grand fight to keep hold of their talisman, but Drogba's tip-off may be the last nudge Mourinho needs to follow up on Bony's signature in 2015.