Drogba Reiterates Olympics Stance
Chelsea and Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba could be set to miss the start of next season after making himself available for this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.
Jun 3, 2008 7:45:24 PM
The African nation are widely-expected to mount a strong challenge for the gold medal in China, and are prepared to call up a number of their top European-based players in order to boost their chances.
And Drogba, whose own club future is unclear at the present time amid persistent rumours over a move to Italy or Spain, has revealed that he would welcome the opportunity to represent his nation at the Games.
"Going to the Olympics is a dream for any player," Drogba said to Sport.
"I have played in the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup so to complete the set with the Olympics would be great."
Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, Arsenal star Kolo Toure and Tottenham's Didier Zokora are all believed to have made themselves available for the trip to China along with Drogba, meaning that the Ivorians, who are enjoying a fast improving reputation on the world stage, have a vast array of talent to select from.
The Olympics football tournament is an under-23 event, but each participating nation are allowed to name three players who are over the age limit in their squad, so three of the Premier League quartet could be selected.
The tournament takes place late in the summer and will overlap the early matches of the 2008/09 season Premier League season, causing concerns for the respective clubs who have players involved.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has already expressed his worry at losing a number of players to the Olympics, while Chelsea's new boss will be disappointed to hear his star striker making himself unavailable for domestic action, although it is unclear weather Drogba will still be at Stamford Bridge by the time the tournament begins.
Chris Myson, Goal.com
- Matt Monaghan's Manchester United Special: Darren Fletcher Conjures Moment Worthy Of Zinedine Zidane
- Sir Alex Ferguson Confident Of Successful Premier League Title Challenge
- Manchester United Are Focused On League Success - Patrice Evra And Darren Fletcher
- Arsenal Boss Arsene Wenger Rues Lack Of Preparation After Loss To Sunderland
- Manchester United 3 - 0 Everton: Toffees Brushed Aside As Champions Close Gap On Chelsea
- Carlo Ancelotti: We Have A Lot Of Confidence
- Alex Dimond's Chelsea Special: Michael Essien Leads The Way As Gael Kakuta Delivers Quality Cameo
- Premier League Player Ratings: Manchester United 3-0 Everton
- Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal: Black Cats Halt Gunners' Good Form
- Premier League Player Ratings: Chelsea 4-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Top 10 Most Controversial World Cup Games
- Egypt Issue FIFA Complaint Against Algeria, Threaten International Withdrawl
- Fabio Cannavaro: Thierry Henry Should Have Had The Decency Not To Celebrate
- FAI Chief John Delaney Demands Ireland's Match With France Be Replayed
- France Captain Thierry Henry: I Handled The Ball Against Ireland, But It Was A ‘Great Moment’
- Top 10 Most Controversial World Cup Games
263 - Thierry Henry: A Replay Would Be Fair For Ireland And France
258 - Calcio Debate: Should Sebastian Giovinco And Davide Santon Leave Juventus And Inter Respectively In January?
149 - Inter & Arsenal To Swap Mario Balotelli & Cesc Fabregas - Report
135 - Ballon d'Or Worldview: Who Will Win The Golden Ball 2009?
133
