Hulk, Falcao or Cavani to join Chelsea FC as replacement for Drogba?

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by Crunch Sports Staff

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Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea next month, but who will replace him? (credit: Scott Heavey/Getty Images)

Porto striker Hulk is being tipped as the man who will replace Didier Drogba at Chelsea next season.

Drogba on Tuesday announced he will leave Chelsea when his contract expires next month, ending several days of fierce speculation about his future at the club.

Drogba, who scored 157 goals in 341 appearances for the club, said: "I wanted to put an end to all the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea. It has been a very difficult decision for me to make and I am very proud of what we have achieved but the time is right for a new challenge for me.

"As a team we have accomplished so much and have won every single trophy possible. Saturday was a very special moment for everyone at the club and for all the fans, and I am very proud to have played my part in bringing many trophies to this club, which has been my home for the last eight years.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the club especially Roman and my team-mates, many of whom have become very close friends and will be my friends for life. I would also like to say a very special thank you to the Chelsea fans who have shown me so much love and support over the years.

"I wish the club all the best and continued success for the future - you will always be in my heart."

The Blues have been linked with a number of targets in recent days as they look to bring in at least one new forward this summer - likely to play alongside Fernando Torres despite his weekend outburst - and Hulk is the most likely to be wearing a Chelsea shirt on the opening day of the 2012-13 season, according to bookmakers William Hill.

Hill's spokesman Joe Crilly told Crunchsports.com: "Drogba has been the big-Drog at Chelsea for the last eight years and whoever fills the gap has very big boots to fill and although Torres has struggled since moving to Chelsea, the odds suggest that he will be taking up the reins."

According to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sanction a major spending spree this summer in a bid to once again make the Blues title contenders after they finished sixth in the Premier League.

The likes of Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao and Napoli's Edinson Cavani are alternative options to Hulk, who along with his agent Teodoro Fonseca was in Munich for Saturday's Champions League win and according to Tuesday's report is Abramovich's top striker target.

Who should Chelsea bring in to replace Drogba? Have your say below!

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