FIFA block Drogba´s early return to Chelsea

Didier Drogba had requested special dispensation from FIFA, to allow the Ex-Chelsea striker to move on loan before the official transfer window had opened, so that he could keep his match fitness up for the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

The Ivorian was rumoured to be lining up a return to the Premier League after the Chinese Super-League finished this month, but FIFA have since upheld their laws, and will not allow Drogba to move before the transfer window opens on January 1st.

The African Cup of Nations is to start on January 19th in South Africa, and the Chelsea legend is due to captain his Ivory Coast team for the tournament.

FIFA had previously turned down similar requests from stars such as Thierry Henry, Landon Donovan and David Beckham to make early returns from the Major League Soccer in the United States, which ends in December. The only difference in Drogba’s request was his need for match fitness for a FIFA tournament starting in January.

Its a shame that Drogba won’t be returning at the moment with such influential players in Frank Lampard and John Terry missing out recently through injury. We at Chelsea will just have to hope Rafa Benitez can perform a training miracle and get some good out of Fernando Torres.