Didier Drogba’s one-year contract with Chelsea expires in the summer, and goalkeeper Petr Cech has urged boss Jose Mourinho to offer the striker a new deal.
The Ivorian rejoined the Blues in the summer after spending two seasons away with Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray from 2012-2014, and reunited with the manager who originally brought him to Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho.
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Drogba, however, could be on his way out of the club – once more – unless a new contract is offered at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.
Cech believes that his team-mate has earned himself a new deal since his return after helping Chelsea to their first Premier League title in five seasons – having scored important goals against Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and, recently, Leicester City along the way.
The Czech Republic international said, “Let’s hope he’s in the camp next season. He’s got a massive part to play on and off the field,” as quoted by the Daily Star.
“Didier’s experience and the way he speaks before the games, after defeats when you’re down and you need an old head to help,” he added.
“At times we’ve been worried after defeats and he’s said that it happens and we’ll bounce back and be alright. When you hear that from someone like him, everyone takes it on board.”
Cech also thinks that age should no longer be an issue in football; performances are what matters, as John Terry has proved this term.
“If you have the quality to play, it doesn’t matter if you are 40 or 18, you should have a chance to play.
“Didier and JT have proven a lot of people wrong and it’s great to see they can compete at the highest level for another year and they will continue doing so.”
Cech’s future at the club is also uncertain, and it could be the end of the road for his Stamford Bridge career with the Premier League champions, as he has played second best to Thibaut Courtois this season.