Montreal Impact expect Didier Drogba to 'continue to be a pro' in 2016 season

Montreal Impact forward Didier Drogba is expected to play through the 2016 season amid reports of interest in a return to Chelsea, says club owner Joey Saputo.

Drogba joined the Impact midway through the 2015 season on an 18-month contract and immediately made his presence felt, scoring 11 goals in as many games to drive Montreal into the playoffs.

The 37-year-old Ivorian had been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge in a coaching position, with rumours of a potential retirement prior to the start of the 2016 MLS season.

"The expectation is that he's going to continue to be a pro," Saputo told reporters. "I don't have a feeling on whether he's not going to play, whether he's coming back because he has to come back.

"We did have a discussion with Chelsea. They would've liked to have seen him back with the organization. We spoke to Didier about the possibility that he wanted to think about his post-soccer career.

"He was committed to a contract and he was aware that he's under contract. So I'm happy that he decided to honour the contract."

Drogba announced on Sunday his intention to continue playing, with the Impact revealing Drogba would be taking part in preseason training. However, Drogba will be on his own in Qatar for the first half of the Impact's preseason camp before joining the team on Feb. 15.

"It's obvious that he feels he's a couple of weeks behind because of the situation," Saputo said, when asked about Drogba's preseason plans. "When a player like that asks you, 'Listen, would it be possible?' I had no issue saying, 'Do what you need to do.'"