Didier Drogba found his return to Chelsea frustrating and will now move on to have a final season where he hopes to play more football.
The returning Blues legend started only eight Premier League matches in what was supposed to be his swansong campaign, and believes he can still offer more on pitch – though has vowed not to do it in England.
Drogba, who was carried off by his team-mates 30 minutes into Chelsea's final-day 3-1 win over Sunderland, said of his future: “I spoke with Jose (Mourinho) and the board and both of us we found an agreement.
“Next year I want to have more minutes than I am having now, I just want to play you know, and finish maybe on a high. Saying that I gave everything, and I can’t no more.
“This year I didn’t have that feeling. In fact I felt I could still play, and I still want to enjoy it before I stop.
“I’m a bit frustrated because you want to play, like every player, you want to play more, play every game – but it is not possible.
“So, for me to stay here and to finish with frustration, no that is not possible, so we all agree and we all understand what is good for all of us.
“Plus I think the team needs to be stronger next year, to compete in the Champions League, and they are going to buy new players, and also we have young players coming up, the (Dominic) Solankes, (Ruben) Loftus Cheeks, (Nathan) Akes, all these boys. They need to play.
“Not that I am not a competitor, but I think its time to give them a chance.
Drogba, who announced his plans via his Instagram account said, laughing: “Since I put it on social media I was in the dressing room and I was receiving some calls from teams!
“Really unusual. But it was funny and interesting also because it really showed that maybe I can still bring something to a team. Yeah, it was funny to see this.”
Asked if he would like to join friend and former team mate Frank Lampard in Major League Soccer, he said: “Yeah of course, but I am going to take a few days, few weeks to think about what is good for me next. But all I want to do is play.”
However the Blues legend was adamant that, unlike Lampard, nobody will see him run out for another side in the Premier League.
“No,” he said. “Because a few years ago when I left I said it before, I would never play for another English team.
“No disrespect to them, there are some brilliant, fantastic teams in the Premier League, but my love for this club, I can’t share it with another team.”
