In the week of Fernando Torres's birthday, it can't have been much of a present to see Didier Drogba back at Chelsea. The Ivorian's visit with his current club Galatasaray brought with it tributes from José Mourinho, hugs from his former teammates and misty-eyed pre-match reminiscences. All around Stamford Bridge banners still hang that proclaim Drogba as one of the greatest to wear Chelsea blue, and few fans would have begrudged the old warhorse one last goal at the ground. Torres must know that he will never be taken to heart in the same way.
He has always seemed to exist in Drogba's giant shadow. Though he was signed for £50m in January 2011, the sort of fee that should have ensured he was the first-choice striker, he made two less starts than Drogba during the remainder of the season, and the same number as Nicolas Anelka. His inability to cement the lone centre-forward spot Chelsea subsequently favoured always seemed to be coloured by the fact that, while Drogba was at the club, nobody else would be top dog no matter what they cost.
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