Chelsea gears up for a back up plan

As Chelsea, bid adieu to one of their greatest players ever, here is a lowdown on what Drogba achieved at the club and the consequences of his departure.

Didier Drogba kicked his last ball for Chelsea on the 19th of May which won them the UEFA Champions League.

Drogba is now odds-on with the bookmakers to join former Stamford Bridge team-mate Nicolas Anelka at the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua. Confirming his departure, Drogba told Chelsea's official website: 'I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea. 'It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am very proud of what we have achieved but the time is right for a new challenge for me.’

Jose Mourinho signed Drogba from Marseille for £24million in 2004 and helped Chelsea to their first Premier League win in 2005. Since his signing, the 34-year-old has spent eight years at Chelsea, scoring 157 goals in 341 appearances, and helped the Blues win 10 titles. He won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two Carling Cups and, finally, the Champions League. He has been named Chelsea's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and won the Premier League golden boot twice.

With Drogba out, Chelsea now will have to depend on Fernando Torres to lead their attack. With new signings like Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, Chelsea has shaped up their attack and these new signings will surely be of great assistance to Torres. Also, rumors of Hulk joining Chelsea will have a positive effect on Chelsea’s attacking line up.

Chelsea will wait until Di Matteo's contract expires at the end of June before deciding on the Italian's future, which could yet be back in the dugout on a one-year deal, should owner Roman Abramovich put his faith in the man that won him the F.A. Cup and the Champions League.

There could also be a return to the club for former striker, Andriy Shevchenko. The 35-year-old is out to embark on a coaching career when he finally retires, which is likely to be after Ukraine host the European Championships this summer.

Didier Drogba departs London an immortal Chelsea hero and an unquestioned great of modern English football, and does so on the ultimate high. What happens to Chelsea is a tale that remains to be told.

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