Didier
Drogba has told Sky Sports News HQ that he wants to remain at Chelsea beyond
the end of the season.
The Ivory Coast forward received the 2015 Football Writers' Association
Tribute Award at a gala dinner in London on Sunday night.
Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge last summer following spells with
Shanghai and Galatasaray, and he hopes that this summer does not mark the
end of his 11-year association with the club.
"When you have achieved so much and won so many trophies like we have done
in the past 10 years, that creates something special," he said.
"I hope, and the club makes me believe, I am part of this big family, so we
are going to find the best thing for both of us to promote the club in the
best way.
"When I left this club (the first time), I was saying that I had done
everything I wanted to do, but I think now that I did not do everything, I
think there is more to do. I love this club and would love to be part of
this club for the future, with the new players.
"I am really proud for this award, in the list of previous winners there are
a lot of players whom I really respect and grew up trying to reach there
level, so for me this is a great honour. When I came to England, things were
difficult, there was the language barrier and culture change.
"With time, we managed to learn more from each other and today I am really
happy that the football writers not only understand me a lot on the pitch,
but have also helped me with my foundation work."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who first signed Drogba from Marseille for
£24m in 2004, believes he is the best signing he has made for the club
during his two spells in charge.
He said: "Throughout my career, I have always refused to say which is my
favourite player or the best person, because so many have given soul and
blood to play and to fight with me, but if I have to choose one who
represents all the good things you want in a player and a man, I think in
this moment I would choose Didier."
Drogba hopes that Frank Lampard is afforded a warm reception on his return
to Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Lampard left the club last summer after 13 trophy-laden years and is
continuing to show his quality during an extended loan spell with Chelsea’s
title rivals Manchester City.
He is scheduled to return for the first time in the Sky Live Saturday
evening match, and Drogba insists he has nothing but respect for his former
team-mate.
“I hope he is going to get the best reception like I had last year when I
came to the Bridge with Galatasaray because that is the least he deserves.
“I am not surprised by what he has done at Manchester City this season. I
think he is a professional and that is how he was when he played for Chelsea
and why I have so much respect for him and what he is doing there. For a
fantastic player like him, he can play anywhere so that is why I am not
surprised by his current form.”
Thierry Henry has described Drogba as a Premier League legend and the Sky
Sports football pundit believes they would have made a great strike
partnership.
“I think he is a legend of the game. Powerful, an amazing finisher. I
remember when he first arrived it was not easy for him people were having a
go at him but he kept on working," he said.
“He is one of the players I would love to have played with, he had all the
attributes you would want from a fellow striker. He was such a great player
– and still is – and he has done so much for the game and for Chelsea. You
can only respect that.”
top