Drogba goals per game not far off Giroud & Rooney… bring him back?

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Fresh reports have linked Didier Drogba with a move to America – but could the Chelsea legend offer something to the Premier League?

The 35-year-old, who turns 36 in March, becomes a free agent this summer and is reportedly wanted by the likes of Seattle Sounders and New York Red Bulls.

In his mid-thirties, you could understand the appeal of a move to the U.S for Drogba. The money would be good, the competition not as intense – and there’s the chance to play alongside another former legend Thierry Henry.

But with eight goals in 20 league games for Galatasaray, the Ivorian is far from finished at the top level. His two goals and three assists in the Champions League group stage, meanwhile, prove he can still mix it with the best.

A look at the Opta stats in terms of goals per game shows that Drogba’s strike rate (0.4) is only just behind that of Wayne Rooney, Olivier Giroud and Romelu Lukaku. And if he has proved himself against the likes of Serie A champions Juventus this term, the 35-year-old should not have any problem replicating it in the Premier League.

The English game does have extra physical demands that would be especially difficult for a man of Drogba’s age, while the Ivorian may be reluctant to play for an English side other than Chelsea.

But only 12 Premier League players have scored more league goals than the Galatasary forward this season, so there would be a host of clubs that would benefit from having the Chelsea legend in their ranks.

And let’s not forget that Drogba is no ordinary man. If anyone is up to a challenge, it’s him; let’s bring him back to England.

image: © Crystian Cruz