Didier
Drogba will not be returning to Chelsea this season in any capacity,
according to interim manager Guus Hiddink.
Rumours had been swirling about Drogba's future with MLS side Montreal
Impact, but the Ivory Coast striker is due to return to training with his
team next month.
Drogba played down talk that he had retired from the playing ranks to link
up with Chelsea's coaching staff, potentially returning to a club he scored
more than 100 Premier League goals for in two spells.
And while Hiddink would not be surprised to see the 37-year-old back at
Stamford Bridge one day, that day has not yet arrived.
After the 1-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, he said: "In the
short-term, yes (there is no prospect).
"But in the longer term we talked about players of a big influence or big
image for this club, they are welcome.
"There is no time issue on this. I wish him all the best now for one of his
last seasons."
Suggestions of a return picked up when Drogba watched Chelsea's first match
after the departure of manager Jose Mourinho alongside owner Roman
Abramovich and Hiddink, who took over after the 3-1 win against Sunderland.
But the Impact confirmed Drogba will return to training in the middle of
February after missing their opening sessions - he is working out in Qatar
as part of his preparations for the season, which starts in early March.
"Forward Didier Drogba will not be present for the opening of the (training)
camp, but he will be doing preparation work in view of the upcoming season,"
an Impact statement read.
"He will join the team for the second part of training camp, which will take
place from February 15 to 28 in St Petersburg, Florida."
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