Chelsea 2008-2009 Home Shirt - Drogba #11 (S)

The blue is bright and even, with no fading on the shoulders. The Samsung sponsor is crisp with no cracking, the embroidered crest and adidas logo are intact, the white collar has not yellowed and the yellow sleeve trims are clean. The only point I noted: a few micro pills on the lower front (photo 6), barely visible once worn.

Unsure about the size? This S measures 49 x 72 cm: compare with the flat measurements below, or check my size guide.

Flat measurements

A period adidas S, neither tight nor loose, with a classic length. Lay a shirt that fits you well flat, measure it the same way and compare.

Key facts about this piece

A few micro pills on the lower front, visible up close in photo 6. No holes, no stains, no cracking on the sponsor or the name and number.

✦ Lifetime authenticity guarantee

Piece checked by hand in my authentication workshop. If a piece bought from me ever turned out not to be authentic, I refund it in full. No expiry: only original pieces, never modern reissues.

• adidas label (photo 4): date 02/08, model code 656133 and batch AZB001, printed in the adidas format of the time
• Embroidered Chelsea FC crest: lion with staff, gold outline and sharp red roses (photo 3)
• Embroidered adidas logo on the chest and club lettering on the collar (photos 2 and 3)
• ClimaCool fabric with honeycomb knit, and the ClimaCool plate on the lower front (photo 2)

Drogba and the 2008-2009 season

The season began with Luiz Felipe Scolari in charge and ended with Guus Hiddink, who arrived in February 2009 as interim manager. Under Hiddink, Didier Drogba found his best form again and became the Blues' number one weapon once more.

April 2009: Chelsea knock Liverpool out in the Champions League quarter-finals (3-1 at Anfield, 4-4 at Stamford Bridge).

6 May 2009: in the semi-final second leg against Barcelona, Andrés Iniesta's stoppage-time equaliser denies Chelsea a place in the final.

30 May 2009: FA Cup final at Wembley, Chelsea beat Everton 2-1. Drogba equalises, Frank Lampard scores the winner.

This blue home shirt with its white polo collar belongs to that eventful season, with the 11 of the player who carried it.

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