Didier Drogba left Chelsea as a legend in 2012, equalising at the death in that season’s Champions League final and then scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout to defeat Bayern Munich. But when the club came calling again on this day two years ago, the then 36-year-old Ivory Coast legend could not turn them down.

This was an emotionally-charged move for serving manager Jose Mourinho, reuniting him with the player who had played such a key role as the pair swept all before them a decade previously.

The double act would prove golden once again, with the 2014/15 Premier League title ending up at Stamford Bridge ahead of Drogba’s departure to Montreal Impact that summer.

OTHER MEMORABLE EVENTS ON THIS DAY

1914: WG Grace scored 69 not out for Eltham against Grove Park in his last cricket match, aged 66.

1981: Anti-apartheid protesters force rugby union game between New Zealand and South Africa to be cancelled after invading pitch.

1992: A record 172 nations were represented at the Barcelona Olympics.

2007: Wigan docked four points for breaching Super League salary cap.