Didier Drogba issues stinging six-word verdict on Chelsea as Frank Lampard hits new low

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has said “I no longer recognise my club” as he issued a stinging attack on the Stamford Bridge ownership on Tuesday.

The former Ivory Coast international spent eight years at Chelsea between 2004 and 2012, inspiring them to the Champions League in 2012 before surprisingly leaving the club a month later upon the expiration of his contract. He did return for a season between 2014 and 2015 as Chelsea won the Premier League and League Cup.

Speaking on Canal+ in France as a pundit on the broadcaster’s coverage of Chelsea’s loss to Real Madrid, Drogba accused the club of lacking class since it was sold by Roman Abramovich last year.

“I knew this club with a certain class during the Abramovich era, but today I find it lacking,” Drogba said.

“It’s very hard for me to see how they got rid of certain people. They should go back to the principles and values they had. I no longer recognise my club.”

Following Todd Boehly’s arrival prior to the end of last season, a number of influential people left Chelsea including the likes of Bruce Buck, Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech.

The 2-0 defeat to the reigning European champions saw Frank Lampard become the first manager in Chelsea’s history to lose his first four games in charge at the club.

Chelsea enjoyed an encouraging first half as former goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was called into action a handful of times but two second-half goals from Rodrygo wrapped up a 4-0 aggregate win for the La Liga side.

The Blues have spent vast amounts since Boehly purchased the club but will finish the season without any silverware and are onto their third manager of the season after sacking Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.

Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League with 39 points, and are back in action next week in a home clash with Brentford on April 26.