A forward's life: Didier Drogba's Chelsea career

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has said Didier Drogba "is one of the most important players at the club" and the Portuguese is hopeful the striker will sign a new contract.

We take a look at the striker's illustrious career with the west Londoners so far...

July 2004

Moved from Marseille to Chelsea for £24 million

2004/2005 season

Scored 16 goals in 41 games in his debut campaign as Chelsea won the domestic title and League Cup. The Ivory Coast striker scored his first for the club in a 2-0 league victory at Crystal Palace in August. A low point came when he was sent off during their 2-1 Champions League defeat to Barcelona in February.

2005/2006

Improved on previous season's scoring record by finding the net 18 times in 45 games. A personal highlight, as well as winning the league again, was in October when he scored twice in a 5-1 battering of Bolton.

2006/2007

Struck 33 goals in 60 appearances. Drogba scored two hat-tricks during the course of the campaign, in a 3-1 Champions League win over Levski Sofia in September and a 4-0 home league victory over Watford in November. Chelsea won the FA Cup that season.

2007/2008

He scored 19 goals overall but ended the campaign in ignominy, being sent off at the end of Chelsea's Champions League final defeat to Manchester United in May. It was his second red card of the season, having been dismissed in the west London derby with Fulham in September, which ended goalless.

2008/2009

A poor season in comparison to previous years, scoring just 14 goals in 42 games. A highlight, though, was scoring twice in an entertaining 4-3 league win over Bolton in April and winning the FA Cup.