The striker announced before our game with Sunderland on Sunday that he will leave the club in order to play more football next season, and he has expanded on his reasoning behind that decision.

‘I spoke with Jose and the board,’ Drogba said. ‘We all agreed and we all understand what is good for all of us.

‘I know next year I will want to have more minutes than now. I want to play and finish on a high knowing I gave everything. I just want to enjoy before I say stop. For me to stay here and finish on a frustration is not possible.

‘Plus the team needs to be stronger next year to compete in the Champions League. They are also going to buy new players and they also have young players coming through, they need to play. It’s not that I’m not a competitor but I think it’s time to give them a chance.

‘I’m going to have a few days and weeks to think about what is good for me next, but all I want is to play.’

Drogba, who made 381 appearancs and scored 164 goals over the two spells, says he will not move to another club in this country because of his love for the Blues, but there remains the possibility once his playing days are over that he will return to Stamford Bridge in some capacity.

On Sunday, Drogba was afforded a heroes’ reception from his team-mates and supporters alike, most notably when he was chaired off the pitch after being substituted. It was a moment like no other and one the all-time Chelsea great will never forget.

‘It was a strange feeling,’ he revealed. ‘It shows the spirit of this team, the good atmosphere. We are always having fun.

‘I wanted to prove to myself that I could come back to the very highest level if possible, play in the Champions League, score in the Champions League. Winning the league with Chelsea was what I really wanted to achieve when I came back and I think I played enough games to give a contribution to that.

‘I am a bit frustrated because of course like every player you want to play more; you want to play every game. But to be honest when I see all the players we have in this squad, I feel happy playing the number of games I have because I have a good contribution especially in the last few games.’