‘I was called the next Didier Drogba – now I’m on the verge of quitting Chelsea for £20m’

Datro Fofana joined the Blues in 2023 with high hopes, and was even hyped as the next Didier Drogba, but just four appearances later he is set to join AEK Athens on loan

A player once hailed as the next Didier Drogba is on the brink of leaving Chelsea to join Greek side AEK Athens on loan.

David Datro Fofana joined the Blues for just over £9million in January 2023 amid high expectations that he could follow in the footsteps of Chelsea’s legendary Ivorian striker. However, he has only made four appearances for the west London club and is now set to join the Greek team on loan, who also have an option to make the deal permanent for £20million.

Fofana’s stint at Chelsea has been decidedly disappointing. The striker spent last season on two loan spells, first with Bundesliga side Union Berlin, where he scored twice in a turbulent spell, and then at Burnley where he netted four goals for the Clarets.

The 21-year-old has been told that he doesn’t fit into Enzo Maresca’s plans at Stamford Bridge, and is currently training away from the first team at Cobham. Chelsea are now hoping that Fofana will thrive in Greece, and that Athens will exercise their option to buy next summer, allowing them to make a profit on the young player.

Fofana’s current status as an outcast is a stark contrast to when he first joined the club. Once dubbed ‘baby Drogba’, Fofana earned his move to the Blues after impressing at Norwegian side Molde, reports Football London.

The young striker scored 24 goals and provided 10 assists for the club, which has also helped launch talents such as Erling Haaland. He also won the league title and a domestic cup during his time with the Scandinavian team.

Following his idol, Drogba, Fofana earned plaudits for his promising talent in front of goal. Beginning his journey with Ivorian team AFAD, Fofana made his debut on the international stage for Ivory Coast at the mere age of 16.

His prowess caught the attention of various European clubs, leading him to Molde in 2021. Upon signing for Chelsea, Fofana expressed his lifelong passion for the club and admiration of Drogba, saying: “Chelsea have been my favourite club since I was little. Drogba played there, so they have always been my club. So it’s my dream.”

However, Fofana now joins the list of 41 players leaving Chelsea in what has been a busy summer at Stamford Bridge. The arrivals of Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Joao Felix, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Jadon Sancho have sparked excitement, but there’s also been a notable migration of talent departing.

Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling, Romelu Lukaku, Thiago Silva, Lewis Hall, and Ian Maatsen have all left with Fofana poised to be the latest addition to the outbound contingent.

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