The warrior DIDIER DROGBA

“He’s remarkable.”

“You know … first of all he’s a team player. He’s a team player. After that, he’s got one of these ‘old-days’ mentalities: not selfish, not vain, a humble guy who plays and fights for the team. Fantastic. When he is on the bench and comes on for the last few minutes because the team needs someone to hold the ball up or to defend set-pieces, he does that with the same enthusiasm and spirit as he does when he starts a game against Tottenham.”

“[My team] played against him when I was at Real Madrid and also with Chelsea, last year, so I could feel the kind of potential he still has. I was expecting exactly this [impact]. And there was not even a doubt in my mind about a player who would not be playing every game like before [in his first eight-year spell at the club]. I knew that, from a mental point of view, he would adapt very well to this role, which is so important in the team.”

“Didier speaks before the game to all the attacking players. He wants to score every game. He wants to score and to help with the game.”

“I saw him playing on the TV when I was young, and we now play together. He speaks not just with me, but with all the attacking players. He’s scored so many goals for Chelsea and now he’s pushed so much the young players.”

“He is a fantastic player and a fantastic person, and I am so happy he is a part of the team and I am learning a lot from his experience.”

"[It looked] big."

"I don't think so [if the injury would keep him out for long]. He's a strong guy. He wants to play, he wants to help."

FWA Chairman Andy Dunn, of the Sunday Mirror, feels Drogba has more than earned the recognition of football writers, not only for an outstanding playing career, but also his incredible humanitarian efforts in raising funds for several projects in his Ivory Coast homeland.

"Didier Drogba is not just one of the most accomplished, powerful strikers the Premier League has seen, he has also been a trailblazer for African football, helping to raise its profile immeasurably," said Dunn.

"And through his charitable foundation, Didier has helped to provide invaluable support to those in need of help in his native Ivory Coast and across the entire continent.

"Last year's recipient of the FWA's tribute Jose Mourinho had this to say about Didier when contributing to the striker's autobiography: 'Didier is in my life as one of the best players I have managed in my career, but much more importantly, he’s in my life as one of the best and most unforgettable friends. He is a special person.'

"A glowing testament indeed and one which shows why Didier Drogba will be a thoroughly deserving guest of honour on January 25."

"When you have achieved so much and won so many trophies like we have done in the past 10 years, that creates something special."

"I hope, and the club makes me believe, I am part of this big family, so we are going to find the best thing for both of us to promote the club in the best way."

"When I left this club [the first time], I was saying that I had done everything I wanted to do, but I think now that I did not do everything, I think there is more to do."

"I love this club and would love to be part of this club for the future, with the new players."

The legendary striker re-joined Chelsea last summer on a one-year contract after leaving the Blues in 2012.

The Ivorian's future has been uncertain but now he has come out to say he will be staying at Stamford Bridge next season.

Talking to French TV programme Telefoot, Drogba said: "Next season, I will still be a player for Chelsea."

The 36-year-old recently said he had hoped Chelsea would find a way to keep him and now with his latest comments, it appears they have.