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Chelsea striker Didier Drogba: I have at least a couple more years left in me
The Ivorian insists he is enjoying his soccer and thinks he can continue playing, but would not talk about his Stamford Bridge future, with his contract set to expire next summer.
Dec 8, 2011 2:16:00 AM
By John Stammers
Getty Images
Chelsea's Didier Drogba has said that he is feeling good and enjoying his soccer at the moment, suggesting that he has at least two more years left in his career.
The Ivorian international has not been a regular for Andre Villas-Boas this season. However, the 33-year-old scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Valencia on Tuesday, a result that sent the Blues through to the Champions League knockout stages.
The former Marseille player, who moved to west London for 24 million pounds in July 2004, has indicated that he still has more to offer.
"I started late. I was 25 when I played my first Champions League games," he told reporters. "I feel happy, I feel good on the pitch, I really enjoy my football and when we are winning like this I’m really delighted.
“I don’t calculate, but I hope I’ve got at least a couple more years left in me."
Despite the two goals in midweek, Drogba has not always been his normal self in front of goal this season, netting just twice in 10 league games. However, he is looking to get back to full fitness and is happy with his display against Valencia.
"You all saw I’ve lost a lot of goals and this is something I hope my fitness will help me to improve," he added. "When I get 100 percent fit there are a few mistakes I will attempt to rectify.
“The most important thing is what we did [against Valencia]. This win was very important for us.
"We did the job because it was impossible for the club not to be in the Champions League. The players are responsible for that. There was pressure but I think it was good pressure."
With Villas-Boas often preferring Fernando Torres or Daniel Sturridge up front, Drogba's future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain, but the Ivorian is currently only concentrating on getting more game-time.
He continued: "When the time will come, we will speak about my future. But at the moment there is no need to.
"Injuries didn't help - the knock on the head, and the red card. Plus the surgery on my arm didn't help me to get my fitness.
"But now I'm having a little bit more games, so I hope it's going to come back quickly."
Juan Mata, who set up both of Drogba's goals on Tuesday evening, is keen for the forward to stay at the club.
He said: “It is a decision between the club and Didier, but for us it is important to have strikers like Didier, Fernando Torres and Salomon Kalou.
“Didier is a super striker. He is strong and fast, scores goals and makes assists. He is very important for us and, against Valencia, he showed it.”
The Ivorian international has not been a regular for Andre Villas-Boas this season. However, the 33-year-old scored a brace in the 3-0 win over Valencia on Tuesday, a result that sent the Blues through to the Champions League knockout stages.
The former Marseille player, who moved to west London for 24 million pounds in July 2004, has indicated that he still has more to offer.
"I started late. I was 25 when I played my first Champions League games," he told reporters. "I feel happy, I feel good on the pitch, I really enjoy my football and when we are winning like this I’m really delighted.
“I don’t calculate, but I hope I’ve got at least a couple more years left in me."
Despite the two goals in midweek, Drogba has not always been his normal self in front of goal this season, netting just twice in 10 league games. However, he is looking to get back to full fitness and is happy with his display against Valencia.
"You all saw I’ve lost a lot of goals and this is something I hope my fitness will help me to improve," he added. "When I get 100 percent fit there are a few mistakes I will attempt to rectify.
“The most important thing is what we did [against Valencia]. This win was very important for us.
"We did the job because it was impossible for the club not to be in the Champions League. The players are responsible for that. There was pressure but I think it was good pressure."
With Villas-Boas often preferring Fernando Torres or Daniel Sturridge up front, Drogba's future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain, but the Ivorian is currently only concentrating on getting more game-time.
He continued: "When the time will come, we will speak about my future. But at the moment there is no need to.
"Injuries didn't help - the knock on the head, and the red card. Plus the surgery on my arm didn't help me to get my fitness.
"But now I'm having a little bit more games, so I hope it's going to come back quickly."
Juan Mata, who set up both of Drogba's goals on Tuesday evening, is keen for the forward to stay at the club.
He said: “It is a decision between the club and Didier, but for us it is important to have strikers like Didier, Fernando Torres and Salomon Kalou.
“Didier is a super striker. He is strong and fast, scores goals and makes assists. He is very important for us and, against Valencia, he showed it.”
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