Lampard: Drogba Is Nervous And delighted Ahead Of Chelsea Clash

*Drogba, Maurinho to meet again

FRANK Lampard says Didier Drogba is ‘delighted and nervous’ ahead of a reunion with Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.

Drogba, who spent eight successful years at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2012, is set to face his former employers for the first time on Wednesday since heading for pastures new.

His final act as a Chelsea player was to stroke home a penalty which ended their long wait for European glory, and now he will line up against them attempting to prevent that success from being repeated.

Lampard believes Drogba should embrace the occasion, especially when he is given a hero’s reception in west London, but also understands why a Blues icon of the modern era may be experiencing mixed emotions.

He told Chelsea TV: “I texted him after the draw because we still keep in touch.

“He was delighted and nervous actually because he said it would be difficult for him to come here to Stamford Bridge. He still sees it as his home and his love.

 “I said to him that once he gets back and has the reaction from the fans, he will absolutely love it, both games. I’m sure he will. The draw did have an air of inevitability. It is amazing how often these things happen in football.”

Lampard added: “You will see a return of a hero and rightly so with what he did with his last kick for us. It was the best two days of my life in football terms by a million miles. It was just incredible from start to finish and every fan you talk to is a ‘where were you when you saw it’ moment.