Didier Drogba could be heading back to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have opened discussions with their former striker about a possible return to SW6, according to a report in the Daily Mail.

Jose Mourinho wants the 36-year-old to act as backup for new signing Diego Costa and work with his forwards in a coaching capacity.

Thinker: Is Didier Drogba contemplating a Blues return?

Costa will be Mourinho’s first-choice hitman next season and fills the place of Samuel Eto’o following the expiry of the Cameroon international’s contract.

Fernando Torres is likely to remain at the Bridge while question marks remain over the futures of Demba Ba and Belgian Romelu Lukaku.

Drogba, who is a free agent after running down his contract at Galatasaray, is a hero at Chelsea after firing them to Champions League glory in Munich two years ago.

Legend: Didier Drogba won the Champions League with Chelsa

He made an emotional return to the Blues with the Turkish club last season and Mourinho hinted then that a move for his old pal was on the cards.

"He is a Galatasaray player, we know he is a free agent and we know he finishes his contract at the end of the season," Mourinho said in March.

"I think it has to happen one day. When, I don't know - as a player, as a coach, as an ambassador - next year, in four or five years, in 10 years - I don't know.

Still got it? Didier Drogba played at this summer's World Cup - could he be heading back to SW6

"But when a person represents so much to a club and when a club represents so much to a person - and that's the case - I think he has to be back one day.

"Undoubtedly he is one of the most important players in the history of this club - that is not a doubt. I think all Chelsea supporters we agree with that."

Drogba won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League while at Chelsea after joining from Marseille as part of Roman Abramovich’s revolution at the Bridge.

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