Didier Drogba open to Marseille return - 'It is an option'

Published 08/01/2017 at 21:08 GMT

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has opened the door to an emtional return to Marseille, saying that a move to France is an option for him right now.

Didier Drogba

Image credit: AFP

Drogba, 38, has been without a club since leaving Montreal Impact at the end of the 2016 MLS season.

A number of options have been mooted, including a possible move to Stamford Bridge as a coach, but in an interview with Canal Football Club Drogba made it clear that he still thinks he can play.

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Drogba conceded that there has been a lot of talk about a possible return but with the club's new owners he hopes that one day he can honour his promise to go back.

"This is the eternal question for over twelve years now. Every time I answered, people said 'He, he speaks, he speaks, but he does not come back'. But it did not depend on me alone.

Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba (11) speakes during a ceremony honoring him after the game against the Toronto FC in the first leg of the MLS Eastern Conference Championship at Olympic Stadium.

Image credit: Reuters

"You make a player leave, he grows up, he earns his living well financially, and you want him to decrease his salary by two for the club ... I heard: 'Is that he does not like Marseille?' But no, who works to win less? Of course, I would have liked to return as a player in Marseille.

"I feel I have done the right thing for it to happen. I could not force the leaders in place at the time. Now, I hope I can one day keep my promise. It can be done, just take the trouble and time to sit down and talk. But I'm not shouting from the rooftops that it will happen "

Ever since leaving Marseille for Chelsea in 2004 Drogba has flirted with a return to the club, whose fans fell in love with him during his spell there.