Roma Could Hijack Didier Drogba's Return to Chelsea

Chelsea's hopes of resigning Didier Drogba have been damaged after Roma captain Francesco Totti expressed his desire to see the Galatsaray striker move to Serie A.

Drogba spent eight successful years with the Blues, scoring the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012 to claim legendary status in west London.

The Ivory Coast international was part of the Galatasaray team which exited the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea but manager Jose Mourinho said Drogba is destined to return to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues icon is out of contract in the summer and even at 36 years old would be expected to garner interest from across Europe, and Totti has thrown Roma's cap into the ring.

"We need three new signings, one great player for each area of the team," Totti told Il Romanista.

"Could Drogba be one of those signings? He might come here. He is still younger than I. You win things with players like him. Either way, I am not in charge of our transfer policy and I have never been.

"But I do think that this team can win things with three good signings."

Despite Drogba playing a peripheral role as Chelsea won 3-1 on aggregate in their last 16 tie, Mourinho says his reputation is enough for him to win a return to the club even if it isn't as a player.

"I think destiny will [see him return]," the Portuguese boss said.

"Not even destiny, I think a collective desire from the club and from Didier means that one day, sooner or later, as a player, a coach, as an ambassador, as a board member, and because of the respect between him and owner."

Numerous banners celebrating Drogba's career decked around Stamford Bridge suggest his reputation among Chelsea fans has anything but diminished and Frank Lampard says the ex-Marseille forward would be welcomed back with open arms.

"Of course I'd like to see Didier back as a coach or as a player," Lampard told the Evening Standard.

"The manager said before the game that you can't see him not being part of the club in some shape or form.

"It's up to him and the club, but he's always going to be regarded as a legend and held in the top bracket in this club. I'm sure if he can give something back, I'm sure Didier would love to."