Didier Drogba believes Chelsea’s hierarchy have made it difficult for any manager to thrive (Canal Plus)
Didier Drogba says he ‘no longer recognises’ Chelsea and has slammed the club’s hierarchy in the wake of their Champions League exit on Tuesday evening.
Frank Lampard suffered his fourth straight defeat since taking temporary charge of Chelsea as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Real Madrid, which sealed their elimination from the Champions League.
Chelsea now have seven Premier League games remaining but sit 17 points behind fourth place, meaning that they will miss out on a place in the Champions League next season.
Chelsea’s hierarchy are already searching for Lampard’s successor and talks with both Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique have been held, but Drogba believes the current situation at Stamford Bridge will make it difficult for the next manager to thrive.
The former Chelsea striker has criticised Chelsea’s new ownership for their transfer strategy since taking over the club from Roman Abramovich and insists the squad needs more experienced players.
‘They lack charismatic leaders,’ Drogba told Canal Plus on Tuesday evening.
Chelsea were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Tuesday evening (Getty)
‘We need players who take the game on their own, take their responsibilities. You need a player who brings madness to the stadium.’
‘I no longer recognise my club,’ said Drogba.
‘It’s not the same club anymore. There is a new owner and a new vision.
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‘Of course, we try to compare with what was done under the Abramovich era where there were a lot of player acquisitions but the choices were very smart. Bringing in a Petr Cech, [Andriy] Shevchenko, [Hernan] Crespo, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, [Florent] Malouda and so on is to win titles.
‘These were players who had some experience. Here we are betting on very young players, but a dressing room with more than 30 players is difficult [to manage] for a coach.’
When asked if he had a view on Drogba’s comments after Chelsea’s Champions League exit, Lampard said: ‘No, I don’t, no. They’re Didier’s comments.’
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‘I no longer recognise my club.’
