Didier Drogba urges Petr Cech to stay at Chelsea

Didier Drogba has said that Petr Cech should stay at Chelsea

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba who announced before the Sunderland match that he will leave Chelsea at the end of the season has urged Petr Cech, another club legend, not to follow him out of Stamford Bridge. The Ivorian who picked up his fourth Premier League medal in his second spell at the club along with Cech says that Chelsea should hold onto the Czech international owing to his legendary status.

“I think the club should keep him because we know who Petr Cech is at this club. If he wants to go it's his choice as well. It's up to him. But we want him to stay,” he further added.

Drogba also said that he understood that Cech, like him, wants to play first team football and so could eventually depart. He added, "No matter what happens I think the club will respect his decision. If he wants to stay, he can stay. I think he is more than welcome here.”

Cech has only a year left on his contract and has been relegated to being Chelsea’s second choice keeper by Thibaut Courtois. The goalkeeper spent 11 years as Chelsea’s first choice custodian and is one of the most decorated players of the club.

Drogba’s comments echo what manager Jose Mourinho had said earlier when he had urged Cech to stay on at the club. The 33-year-old has been linked with many clubs, with Arsenal and PSG said to be keen on signing him.

All I want to do is play: Drogba

Drogba’s future has also been subject to transfer speculation with the striker himself saying that he is getting offers from MLS. "Since I put the news I am leaving Chelsea on social media, I was in the dressing-room and I was receiving some calls from teams which is really unusual.”

"It showed that maybe I can still bring something to a team. Of course, I'm interested in the USA. Now I'm going to have a few days and weeks to think about what is good for me next but all I want is to play."

However, the striker made it clear that he will not be playing for another club in the Premier League, saying, “There are some really fantastic teams in the Premier League but my love for this club. I can't share it with another English team.”

During his time at the London club, the Ivorian won four Premier League titles, one Champions League, four FA Cups and three League Cups. He was also voted as the club's greatest-ever player in 2012 by the supporters.