Atletico de Kolkata's $1 million offer for Chelsea legend Drogba signals ISL ambition

Indian Super League defending champions Atletico de Kolkata have made enquiries about Chelsea legend Didier Drogba — however, before you get too excited, it is most likely that the Ivorian will choose a Major League Soccer club instead.

Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact have already confirmed talks with the Champions League winner — and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has also tipped his ex-striker to make a massive impact in the United States, following in the footsteps of former teammate Frank Lampard.

However, UK-based agent Baljit Rihal told Firstpost that he was approached by ATK to enquire about Drogba’s services — which the London Evening Standard reports as a $1 million plus bonuses offer (apparently the money was offered by Atletico Madrid, in whose partnership the Kolkata club runs).

“ATK asked me to enquire about Drogba as an intermediary, but it seems that the offer won’t get accepted. His representatives have seen the offer but have not responded at all. Looks like the MLS is a likely destination,” he said.

An agent based in India also confirmed the link — but Drogba is probably too big a player to play in India at this point — and the MLS is the preferred destination for players who have a few years left in them: Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Kaka, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard moved to the states while the now-retired David Beckham and Thierry Henry also chose the States over other offers from Europe.

“The Chicago Fire have increased their contract offer to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, a source with knowledge of negotiations said on Tuesday,” an ESPN FC report said.

The report adds that Drogba may be more keen to join Montreal, where he can speak his native French.

ISL clubs may miss out on a name like Drogba today — but at least this shows some sort of ambition on the part of club owners to aim for top names — irrespective of his age, the striker is a PR machine in himself — someone who enjoys legendary status among Indian football fans because of his goals being beamed in India over the last decade.

An offer is the first step towards making sure that the ISL can, just like the MLS, ride on big name signings. If a Drogba comes, a Yaya Toure may follow four years later — that’s how it works in football.

FC Goa have shown that having a coach like Zico can attract players like Andre Santos (ex-Arsenal). It also works the other way round — Zico recommended Romeo Fernandes to Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense, and even though that move didn’t work out, it showed that big name arrivals (players or managers) can bring in more big names to a league.

The league benefits as a whole. Take for example Roberto Carlos — if Delhi Dynamos manage to keep him for another year or two, the former Real Madrid player will pull in more names through his contacts in Brazil and Turkey.

Names like Carles Puyol, Ronaldinho and Drogba being linked to ISL clubs may sound farcical to the sceptical — but at least there are links being made — some work out, some don’t; but to say that the ISL is absolutely unable to attract popular football players is wrong — Marco Materazzi, Elano, Nicolas Anelka, Bernard Mendy and Borja Fernandes have all returned. Lucio, Carlos, Nicky Shorey, Simao Sabrosa and Diomansy Kamara have signed up — more will follow in the years to come — and for that, to show intention is vital.

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(Note: This article was published before Didier Drogba’s move to Montreal Impact was confirmed.)