Didier Drogba, to Chelsea: It’s been real, but I’m really ... gone

His last touch won a European Championship. Now, Didier Drogba is gone.

Chelsea’s talisman confirmed the news today, telling the magazine France Football “I am preparing for my leap into the unknown. It’s going to be another adventure.”

Even though it’s been three years since I said I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club – especially as I did not feel like this. But I could not see myself sitting on the bench to watch others play when the club plans to set up a new team.

Speculation linking Didier Drogba to Shanghai Shenhua rests on shakier ground (no player quotes to affirm that one); regardless, Drogba is set to leave Europe’s champions with Fernando Torres as the top No. 9 on their depth chart.

Hey, Blues: There’s still time. Tell Didier he’s not destined for the bench. The guy was kinda good on Saturday. You may want to reevaluate.

If this really is goodbye, Drogba leaves Chelsea having scored 157 all-competition goals over his eight years at Stamford Bridge. He was a part of teams that won three Premier Leagues, four FA Cups, two League Cups and (or course) one Champions League.

And, unfortunately for us, there’s almost no chance he’ll come to MLS. If he’s going to be guided out of London, Drogba seems intent on making it worth his financial while.

Dear Mr. Zuckerberg: Please take the money I just gave you, buy the San Jose Earthquakes, and pay Didier Drogba $10 million per year to play in MLS. I’m a shareholder! You have to listen!