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Transfers - Gossip Shop: Drogba on his way

Eurosport - Sun, 10 May 20:16:00 2009

The fallout from Didier Drogba's hilarious (sorry, despicable) wild-eyed rant at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo continues to build.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Champions League Chelsea's Didier Drogba launches tirade at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after final whistle - 0

The striker's spectacular explosion following Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona looks like having far-reaching consequences.

Not only did the Ivorian make a fool out of himself (there's something rather undignified about losing the plot wearing a pair of flip-flops - think angry holiday resort guest) but he is also set to be slapped with a hefty European ban.

The length of any possible suspension is currently estimated at anything from six games to six months, but it was Drogba's reaction in the dressing room after the match - and not on the pitch or in the tunnel - that will be of greater concern to Chelsea fans.

Having unloaded his bile in Ovrebo's face - and then to the television cameras - a still-fuming Drogba went on to let rip in the changing rooms over Guus Hiddink's earlier decision to substitute him.

Hiddink may have publicly backed his striker for his outburst, but the Dutchman will not have been impressed when Drogba turned on him and his coaching staff.

And the Sunday Express claims the outburst has "almost certainly ended any chance of (Drogba) staying at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer".

The question remains, who is willing to take on a striker with a European ban considerably longer than his fuse?

Internazionale boss Jose Mourinho might. Given the pair's strong relationship when Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge, a swoop for Drogba is not out of the question, especially if a cheaper, non-Euro-playing deal can be brokered.

Meanwhile, you have to feel sorry for poor Mark Hughes. Ever since he took over at Manchester City, it is unlikely he has enjoyed a single relaxing Sunday morning with breakfast and papers in bed with the missus.

Such is the extraordinary wealth and expectations of his club, City are a shoo-in to feature heavily in the gossip columns - week in, week out. It must be tiring for Hughes, who has increasingly had to put up with speculation over his own future of late.

City are still in with a shout of European qualification this season, and while the Champions League has proved a bridge too far, it has been far from a disastrous first campaign in charge for Hughes.

Yet still he is tipped to be pushed out of Eastlands - if not in the summer, then at Christmas - with Arsene Wenger the latest name to be linked as a replacement.

The Star Sunday admits there has been no official approach by City for the Arsenal boss, but a number of third parties have expressed an interest in brokering a deal.

Wenger, however, is likely to remain loyal to his Gunners, despite an enticing amount of cash available to spend at City.

One man who might not be able to resist that kind of money - and it is difficult not to when you are unemployed - is Frank Rijkaard , who is currently on a 'sabatical' having left Barcelona last summer.

The Mail on Sunday reports that Rijkaard is lying in wait should Hughes be given the heave-ho, although the Dutchman could also move to Milan, should Carlo Ancelotti go to Chelsea.

According to the News of the World, Ancelotti's future will be cleared up sooner rather than later after Chelsea issued a take-it-or-leave-it ultimatum to the Italian.

Apparently, the Blues have offered an incredible £18.6 million, three-year tax-free deal to lure Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge, although Milan have come in with a counter-offer in an effort to tempt him to stay.

And you wonder why they call it the managerial merry-go-round?

In other 'news', Michael Owen could be given the chance to resurrect his nose-diving career with a summer move to Scottish giants Celtic.

A pay-as-you-play deal worth £50,000 a week - he currently earns £115,000 a week - including sizable goal and success bonuses could tempt the former England striker north of the border, especially if Newcastle do down. And you know what? He might just do well in Scotland.

Xabi Alonso's future remains the subject of much speculation with Liverpool reportedly closing in on the signing of long-term target Gareth Barry. Should Rafa Benitez get the Aston Villa midfielder - for £8m - in the summer, Alonso may find he is surplus to requirements at Anfield, even though Benitez thinks highly of him.

Manchester City (who else?) are well aware of the situation, and are ready to lodge a bid that can only be described as "mega" - at least by the News of the World.

And finally, Fulham have targeted Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand to replace Brede Hangeland, should the giant Norway captain leave for Arsenal this summer, while Liverpool are set to sign Croatia ace Daniel Pranjic from Heerenveen for £8m.

Eurosport

Comment 54 - 73 of 73

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  1. DROGBA IS FIGHTING FOR THE CLUB, THAT IS MOST­ IMPORTANT, IT IS SO PAINFUL TO LOSE CHAMPION TITLE LIKE­ THAT. BY INSIDE DECISIONS AND BY OUTSIDE DECISIONS, NOT­ BECAUSE OF THE RESOURCE AVAILLABLE. DRODBA SUB MADE­ EVERY BARCA PLAYER TO OVERLAP FOR ATTACKING, THAT IS­ VERY BAD FOR CHELSEA, AND THAT IS THE OUTPUT.

    From MUSA, on Mon 11 May 12:55PM

  2. Classic case why we need Video assistance. The first­ missed penalty, Malouda could have over played the­ pull/contact, the second penalty Droga was impeded but­ still debatable, but the handballs, I have to WE ALL­ SAW IT...................except the referee.

    From starman_123, on Mon 11 May 8:43AM

  3. Did Chelsea play Barca? Did we miss something? YES:­ four penalties that were not given especially the Pique­ handball. Droga was right to call out the referee, that­ referee was a Disgrace. I really do believe there was­ something more sinister occurring. Was the Referee paid­ or instructed to tilt the game in Barca's favor? I­ think so and if the FA has ANY BALLS they should­ atleast demand an inquiry. If Droga is banned from­ Playing he should file a lawsuit against UEFA for­ negligence.

    From starman_123, on Mon 11 May 8:37AM

  4. EURO BAN OR NOT,HE IS THE HOTTEST THING OUT THERE AND­ GOOD COACHES WILL STILL GO FOR HIM.CHECK HIS GOAL­ SCORING RECORDS AGAINST THOSE KIDS FROM EAST LONDON,NO­ WONDER THEY HATE HIM SO MUCH.DEAL WITH IT,HE IS BETTER­ THAN YOUR HENRY AND ADEBAYO PUT TOGETHER.

    From onyeka j, on Mon 11 May 7:11AM

  5. ARSENAL HAVE ALSO SPENT MILLIONS AND WON­ NOTHING,ABSOLUTELY NOTHING,AT LEAST WE WON BACK TO BACK­ PREMIERSHIP TITLES AND WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEATEN­ ARSENAL ALL THIS WHILE.DEAL WITH IT,WE ARE BETTER AND­ WILL CONTINUE TO BE,HLEB,ROSISKY,AHSAVIN AND THAT­ MISFIT FROM SPAIN DIDNT COME CHEAP SO STOP USING THE­ MILLIONS CHELSEA SPENT AS AN EXCUSE,ARSENAL 1 CHELSEA­ 4,WE RULE

    From onyeka j, on Mon 11 May 7:07AM

  6. WHY DO YOU GUYS HERE HATE DROGBA THIS MUCH,DEAL WITH­ IT,HE IS THE BEST STRIKER IN THE WORLD AND YOUR OPEN­ HATRED FOR HIM MAKES NO DIFFERENCE

    From onyeka j, on Mon 11 May 7:02AM

  7. If Danijel Pranjic goes to Liverpool I will be­ shattered

    From Daniel, on Mon 11 May 6:22AM

  8. WHY U DECIDED TO HINDER UR CAREER? ONE THINH I KNOW IS­ SIR FUGIISON AND MAN UTD PLAYERS ARE DISCIPLINED NOT­ CHELSEA BECAUSE MANU ARE NOT; BALLACK, DROGBO AND MOPRE

    From Samk, on Sun 10 May 10:57PM

  9. donneysbeck = thickshit @#$%

    From afcwasps, on Sun 10 May 10:55PM

  10. BERWICKJOHN,NICE TO SEE OTHER FANS OUT THERE MORE­ CONCERNED FOR THE GAME THAN ISOLATING ONE REFEREE'S­ POOR PERFORMANCE.THE HUMAN INPUT AND MISTAKES THAT­ INEVITABALLY ARE MADE ARE AMONG THE REASONS WE TRAVEL­ THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE COUNTRY SUPPORTING OUR­ LOCAL TEAMS,NOT SITTING IN AN ARMCHAIR SPOUTING OFF­ ABOUT CONSPIRACIES etc.ALL THIS TALK OF VIDEO REPLAYS­ BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO OFFICIALS WILL KILL THE­ GAME.BRING BACK JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS I SAY.
    ­ SWANSEA(NEWTON)JACK

    From SUE, on Sun 10 May 9:20PM

  11. I believe the title says it all "Gossip Shop"­ What a joke!

    From iknowwerecool, on Sun 10 May 9:06PM

  12. sue.williams68 .Real football fan. YOUR submisson is­ echoed by genuine fans who love the game and dont­ want
    to see it in the gutter

    From berwickjohn, on Sun 10 May 8:52PM

  13. JOHN TERRY SHOULD BE MADE TO SURRENDER ENGLAND­ CAPTAIN'S ARMBAND,HIS BEHAVIOUR AS BAD AS REST OF­ PLAYERS.POINTLESS FINING THESE PLAYERS,MONEY MEANS­ NOTHING TO THEM,BALLACK,LAMPARD,AND TERRY COULD ALL BE­ FACING ASSAULT CHARGES IF PETR CECH HADN'T GOT TO­ THEM.BAN THEM FROM ALL FOOTBALL.SPEAKING AS A WELSH FAN­ OF FOOTBALL DON'T REMEMBER SUCH A FUSS BEING MADE­ WHEN MARADONA SCORED WITH 'THE HAND OF GOD',AND­ CERTAINLY NOT SUCH DISGRACEFUL BEHAVIOUR AT END OF­ MATCH IN WHAT WAS POTENTIALLY A FAR MORE IMPORTANT­ GAME.MOST GENUINE FANS WILL BE GLAD TO SEE THE BACK OF­ DROGBA,SIX FOOT PLUS,FOURTEEN STONE PLUS,HE'S­ EITHER VERY CLUMSY OR HASN'T ANY STUDS ON HIS­ BOOTS.TOM DALY(OLYMPIC DIVER) LOOKING FOR NEW­ PARTNER.IF ALMUNIA ELIGIBLE FOR ENGLAND SURELY DROGBA­ CAN REPRESENT UK IN OLYMPICS.
    ­ SWANSEA(NEWTON)JACK

    From SUE, on Sun 10 May 8:33PM

  14. There is no doubt Arsenal need to buy a couple of­ players in the summer transfer market. But more to the­ point
    is some of our so called stars do not appear to­ be giving their all. Adebayor has not played any where­ near as he
    played last season and our Danish chap­ seems to think he is the first choice striker or should­ be.Just a shame
    he cant pass the ball let alone cant­ control it when it is passed to him.We need more class­ players like Arshavin
    a real worker for the team if we­ dont buy we may lose Cesc and that would be­ unthinkable.Come on Arsenal give
    the BOSS big money to­ spend and get this team where it should be.Im sick of­ MAN U AND CHELSEA fans saying
    we are no longer a team­ to fear.We can blood the young players bring them in­ amongst the first team players but not throw them to­ the wolves that could knock them back

    From berwickjohn, on Sun 10 May 8:29PM

  15. Alice will you stop spamming this website, its not­ allowed what you are doing, this is a commentor­ football not a frrrfor all for people who are not­ making enough money, try a ad in local paper or the­ internet .

    From Paul, on Sun 10 May 8:08PM

  16. Journalist can critisised players for non performance­ or misconduct. I wonder who critised them when they­ turn speculation into fact. Majority do not regards­ press as been serious because mostly they lack fact.­ TRASH.

    From dapfash, on Sun 10 May 7:02PM

  17. you are the disgrace for writing this hate article of­ drogba. he started today didnt he? after his revival­ under hiddink, you know he felt bad for yelling at him,­ and the start today tells us that they've made up,­ at least somewhat. emotions run high with/ right after­ a game like that and a genius like hiddink knows this.­ and hes also gone at the end of the year isnt he?­ drogbas status will be up to the new man in charge...­ with the way chelseas dominating arsenal, without a­ slip, i wonder what the CL Final would be like, we­ shoulda had our revenge. screw tom henning. chelsea for­ life.

    From Matt, on Sun 10 May 5:04PM

  18. The Truth is ALL the Authorities are 50 Years Behind­ the Present Day.They STILL SAY "The Referee's­ decision is Final" but in other sports like­ Cricket,they have used technology to the Games­ advantage,and have the benefit of the T.V. replay for­ any disputed decisions.If they had the common sense to­ do this (and it should have been done a long time­ ago)It could only benefit the game,and I am sure,would­ not have cost Chelsea a place in the Champions League­ Final.Wake Up UEFA and The F.A. you know it makes sense­ !!!

    From Don R, on Sun 10 May 4:48PM

  19. I discovered a hot place
    ------Wealth y F inder C o­ M------ where many sexy singles- who like dating and--­ chatting there. I'm an open- minded girl from US,­ I-- am Waiting 4 u

    From bobsmith521af, on Sun 10 May 4:20PM

  20. owen at celtic sounds a gd reason 2 take ma season­ ticket on again next year even though we played poorly­ n lost the league yesterday

    From kieran.parkmoor, on Sun 10 May 4:04PM
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