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Didier Drogba has launched a vitriolic attack against Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, claiming that his old club has become unrecognizable over the past year.
Drogba, a Blues legend, scored 164 goals for the club and led them to arguably their grandest moment in their 118-year history when they won the Champions League in 2012.
Frank Lampard, his former teammate, has returned as the club’s interim manager, but has lost each of his first four games in command.
Tuesday’s Champions League quarterfinal home loss by two goals to Real Madrid completed a 4-0 aggregate victory for the Spanish and European champions, who rarely had to shift out of first gear over the two legs.
Lampard, the club’s third manager of the season after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, also presided over Premier League losses to Wolves and Brighton. The Blues are currently in the bottom half of the league standings and are experiencing a dismal stretch of play.
Didier Drogba: ‘I Don’t Recognize My Club’
Former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba did not hold back his criticism of the club during the Champions Club episode covering Tuesday’s match. The Ivorian criticized club proprietor Boehly, who led a consortium to purchase the Blues from Roman Abramovich last year.
“I don’t recognize my club,” Drogba said, “It’s no longer the same club.”
“There is a new owner and a new vision,” the ex-Chelsea striker said, “Of course, we try to compare it with what happened during the Abramovich era where a lot of players were brought in, but the decisions were very intelligent.”
“Bringing in players like Petr Cech, Andriy Shevchenko, Herman Crespo, Micheal Essien, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, and I go on,” he explained, “It was done to win titles.”
“They are players with a certain experience. The strategy is now different; we bet on young players. But a dressing room of over 30 players is difficult [to manage] for a manager.”
Drogba Also Critical of Players: ‘They Lack Charismatic Leaders’
Drogba continued his criticism of the London club, going after the club’s players.
“They lack charismatic leaders,” he stated, “You need players that take on the game, that assume their responsibilities.
“You need a player that brings a bit of madness to the stadium.”
The loss at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night ensured that the club will end the season without a trophy, with Lampard’s remaining time in the dugout limited to Premier League games as they attempt to end their losing streak and climb the standings.
Currently, the side are positioned in 11th place in the league, 17 points off Newcastle United in fourth place.
The loss to Real Madrid means that club have recorded a historic four losses in a row under Lampard, though many will feel the club legend has been short changed coming into the club at this moment.
Rumors of a dressing room cleanout this summer are swirling and with FFP regulations to meet, Chelsea may have to make a number of big sales in the next transfer window ahead of the 2023/24 season.
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