Both Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba hold their own unique places in Chelsea history according to manager Jose Mourinho, opening the door to the Ivorian extending his career by another year.
The expectation was that this was likely to be the final year of a glittering career for Drogba, which has included three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and a Champions League win in his two spells with Chelsea.
Having played a part in 25 Premier League games for Chelsea this season, Drogba has been a valuable squad member for Mourinho and he is not ruling out an extension to his Stamford Bridge story as he hinted club owner Roman Abramovich will also have a say in the decision.
"I didn't speak with him," Mourinho said when asked about Drogba's future role. "I think it belongs to him: what he feels, what he thinks.
"This is a club thing. This is a Mr Abramovich thing. Mr Abramovich wants him to do what he wants in the club, but it's something Mr Abramovich has to tell him.
"He has to decide, but, obviously, he belongs to the history of this club. These guys are special players."
Mourinho went on to suggest the likes of Drogba, experienced keeper Petr Cech, captain John Terry and Jon Obi Mikel are on course to claim a unique place in Chelsea history, as they have remained at the club throughout Mourinho's two eras of success as Blues boss.
"It's nice to belong to two different generations," Mourinho continued. "If we are champions this season then Petr, Didier, John and Mikel will have belonged to two generations of title winners. The same as me. It's nice to belong to the history of a club in different moments, so it's good for these older guys.
"They're all very experienced, and these guys are special players but we have others coming through. Ivanovic is experienced. [Cesar] Azpilicueta is gaining experience.
"[Eden] Hazard is here now for three years. [Nemanja] Matic is getting experience. This is a natural process, and the years count for everyone. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is 19 now and has just arrived, but, in five years' time, he will be 24 and experienced. Chelsea lost, at the end of last year, what I consider, for sure, to be one of the five most important players in the history of Chelsea; Frank Lampard.
"We lost that player but life goes on. You have to think about the future and to build, and you have to go with that.
"In Frank Lampard, Chelsea lost a match-winner with a number of goals he scored, a big character, a player without injuries who played every game, a player who beat every record in the Premier League -- playing time, number of goals, goals from midfield -- an absolutely amazing player. We lost him but life goes on."
Mourinho went to suggest that despite the collection of dominant personalities he mentioned, his role as the figurehead of the club cannot be threatened by the star names working for him.
"Chelsea leadership is my leadership," he added. "For good and for bad. It's not the players' leadership. Their place is in the dressing room."