Didier Drogba is preparing for a “leap into the unknown”. That could well be Chinese football

Didier Drogba has confirmed he will quit Chelsea following his brilliant performance in the Champions League final. Drogba, now 34 years old, was worried that he might become a bench-warmer at Chelsea and that is probably the main reason behind his decision. "Even though it's been three years since I said I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it's over with this club – especially as I did not feel like this. But I could not see myself sitting on the bench to watch others play when the club plans to set up a new team. So that's it – I am preparing for my leap into the unknown. It's going to be another adventure," Drogba said. Now the attention is focused on his next destination. The most probable outcome is him joining a Chinese club for a lot of money. But the deal isn't done yet. Drogba has reportedly already agreed a deal to join Shanghai Shenhua. The Chinese Super League club are confident of securing the move. The Ivory Coast international, who was signed from Marseille for £24million in 2004, is now expected to join up with his former Chelsea team-mate Nicolas Anelka on a free transfer. Anelka joined Shenhua in January and is currently player-coach following the sacking of the former Fulham manager Jean Tigana. "As of now, Shenhua's negotiations with Drogba are continuing just as planned," the Shanghai Shenhua owner Zhu Jun told the Oriental Sports Daily.