I'm actually split over whether we should keep him or not. He's pretty unique as a striker and gives us a different option, but he also restricts the way we play and I think it is Drogba more than anyone who makes it difficult for us to change the way we play.
If he was happy to stay and accept that he's going to be on the bench a lot, then I'd say we should keep him. Starting him in certain gamesa gainst some teams would be great and he would be a great option for a plan B from the bench. Unfortunately I can't see him accepting not being numero uno striker and I don't think the club will want to pay big money wages to a player who would be mostly on the bench.
If he goes now it will be as a legend, especially after his goal and penalty in the CL final. What a way to go out. I think that would be better than simply watching him fade away.
As I said, I also think of all of the "old guard" he is the one who is preventing the team from being revamped and the style being changed. He is the only player who makes it difficult to adapt to a more passing style. It has never worked very well playing him in a front two, or with other strikers. He is better with two decent wide men and as a focal point, which is why we have struggled becasue we have not adequately replaced Duff and Robben in the last few years.
Lamps still has a lot to offer and has proven he can adapt his game and play a more defensive role. What RDM has done with Lamps may be good for England as Lamps has shown discipline in playing a deep role besides Mikel against Barca and Bayern, so it is possible that both he and Gerrard could start together and be successful.
New players can then be brought into the team around Lamps.
JT is a centre back, so he is not going to affect the way we play going forward. He's actually a pretty good passer of the ball and is good in possession. Even when he first broke through and was partnering Desailly, Desailly passed the ball off to JT to bring out. He's not getting any younger and injuries will catch up with him but with a defender like Luiz next to him who has pace, he can still be a top defender. Chaill is looking a very good replacement though.
So really, the experience and leadership ability of JT and Lamps can be vital in the transition period with new players coming in. Chelsea will still be able to adapt their style.
I also think that RDM can adapt our style. West Brom played a passing game under him. I think he has shown with his tactics against Bayern and Barca that he can adopt different tactics.
Plenty of transfer rumours over who we are going to buy now, with Roman apparently ready to splash the cash. I'd just prefer it if we let the manager choose players. When you have a good man manager, like Jose, Hiddink or RDM, it's important that they are able to choose the players or be involved in the transfer process because there is less likely to be a clash of personalities. It's like any job, it's not just about the player's ability, he needs to be able to fit in personalty wise and not be a potential problem in the dressing room. Especially if the owner is promising a new signing he will play and the manager wants to leave him out.
