Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has all but confirmed that star striker Didier Drogba will be a Chelsea player after the end of the African cup of nations. The striker, who joined from Marseille in the summer of 2004 for a club record fee of £ 24 million, is out of contract at the end of the season.

As a result of it, he is now eligible to discuss his future with potential clubs. He could also sign for a club on a free transfer due to his age and service to Chelsea. This would come as a major blow for Chelsea given that they are fighting to stay in the top four.

Tottenham have been extremely brilliant season, while Manchester City and Manchester United continue to fight for the title. Chelsea, meanwhile, are in a period of transition, as they attempt to replace the older players at Stamford bridge. This has led to speculation that players like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba will be departing the club at the end of the season or in the January transfer window. Manchester United even considered making a bid for Frank Lampard, who has been at the club for 10 years.

However, manager Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that both Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba will be Chelsea players after the end of this transfer window. “He’s going to be here for sure. Yes, long-term. They will return to this club from the African Nations and hopefully we will hold on to them until the end of the season. That’s our intention, and I think their willingness as well,” Villas-Boas said ahead of the match with Sunderland. Chelsea are supposedly in negotiations with Lille midfielder Eden Hazard, who is thought to have a release clause of around £ 33 million in his contract.