Exclusive – Didier Drogba looks as good as ever, hails former Chelsea star

Ray Wilkins has hailed the impact Didier Drogba has made in his second spell at Chelsea - and says it would be no surprise to see the striker extend his player career beyond this season.

The 36-year-old was expected to play little more than a back-up role after signing a one-year deal in the summer to move back to Stamford Bridge, following two years away with Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray.

But the Ivorian, who scored 157 goals in his first trophy-laden spell with the club, has featured often under Jose Mourinho this season and starred in the midweek win over Tottenham.

Wilkins admits he had reservations about the veteran hitman returning to the club, but the former Blues star and assistant boss is happy to have been proved wrong.

“When Mourinho brought him back I thought ‘wow, this is a big one’, but the guy is playing out of his skin. He looks everything he was a couple of years ago,” he said, speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“It wouldn’t surprise me [if he played on past this season] because he still looks as a fit as a flea. His body is still in the same condition that it was a couple of years ago.

“When he went to Galatasaray, because they struggled, he struggled, but he is playing in a team that is so full of confidence that does his work in the areas he needs to do his work, and that is upfront.

"The thing with Didier is, he has never been one of those that runs around and around as a centre forward. He has always been very effective at what he does and when that ball is hit up to him, it stays up with him.

"It sticks to him like glue and when he has an opportunity to score, he still has that magnificent technique, something you never lose, and it is in the back of the net."