Chelsea owner Abramovich signed Drogba from Marseille back in the summer of 2004, with the Ivorian then establishing himself as a Premier League great.
At the peak of his powers, the forward was unstoppable, helping them win Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 under Jose Mourinho.
He also starred as Chelsea won the double in 2010 under Carlo Ancelotti, before firing them to the Champions League title two years later.
Drogba even returned to Chelsea for one final stint in 2014 after Mourinho talked him into a shock second coming.
Chelsea news: Roman Abramovich nearly offloaded Didier Drogba (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea news: Didier Drogba was nearly sold after the Barcelona incident (Image: GETTY)
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Ultimately, though, he stayed to propel Chelsea to more silverware in his latter years.
Chelsea news: Marina Granovskaia convinced Roman Abramovich to keep Didier Drogba (Image: GETTY)
Meanwhile, Drogba has urged Chelsea star Hazard to stay despite the Belgian pining for a move to Real Madrid.
“Why [should he leave Chelsea]? I think he can have this here in Chelsea,” he said.
“You know, I had many opportunities to leave and I decided to stay to make my own story and win the Champions League here. I think he’s got a chance to make his own story.
“This club is still young, and we need people like him to improve the quality in terms of Champions League trophies in the room, he can help us.
“I will be very happy if he stays here, but if he goes to Madrid, good luck to him.”