You can’t say they don’t deserve it. The stars that quite literally kicked Chelsea‘s season back into gear decided to head to a Mayfair club to celebrate the stunning extra-time win over Napoli that saw them into the Champions League quarter-finals.
The big-hitters were out in force and Didier Drogba led the charge, armed with a rather large cigar. I have no idea how the Ivorian was still standing given the immense 120 minutes he put in at Stamford Bridge but wrapped in something resembling the shell of a tortoise, the enigmatic striker continued until the small hours.
The talisman | And doesn’t he know it
If I had to guess, Drogba will not be featuring against Leicester in the FA Cup on Sunday. In fact, I’m not sure this was the wisest move given the club’s fixtures against Manchester City and Tottenham. This would never have been allowed under Andre Villas-Boas! Never!
Hullo? | “Andre! It’s Ash – we won! AND I’ve lost weight!”
But I have a feeling they’ll be given a free pass for this outing. After all, back in the day, when men were men and all that, this was the norm. Win a game, go and get slaughtered. Stumble into training, flop about the pitch, maybe vomit a little and get on with it. I’m convinced it improved the attitude of players. The guilt trip would have been unbelievable!
Anyway enough of that, I have absolutely no doubt that every player pictured stuck to mineral water, perhaps straying for a cranberry juice if they were feeling particularly lively. Don’t forget, nightclubs tend to contain women and football players want to seem a bit edgy. Cranberry juice = edge.
Juan Mata, David Luiz, matchwinner Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien, Florent Malouda and Jose Bosingwa were all spotted entering Aura nightclub and emerging a few hours later.
Mystified | “I’m usually not that good, promise.”
Party trick | Everyone’s favourite monobrow was frowning for most of the night
Match-Winner | Branislav Ivanovic looking every bit like an extra-time goalscoring winner (not)