Didier Drogba insists that he has no intention of heading for the Stamford Bridge exit this summer.
The powerful Chelsea forward has been strongly linked with Milan and their city rivals Internazionale, but has reiterated his desire to remain in England.
The former Marseille man has been with the Blues since 2004, establishing himself as one of Europe's deadliest front-men during his time in the Premier League.
He became unsettled in London following the shock departure of Jose Mourinho in September 2007, but appears to have rediscovered his passion for the Blues.
With his former mentor recently taking the hot-seat at Serie A giants Inter it had been rumoured that the Ivorian hit-man would welcome the opportunity to renew his partnership with the Portuguese coach.
However, Drogba has quashed the speculation by committing his future to his current employers.
"I have a contract with Chelsea until 2010, so I am still a Chelsea player," the striker told skysports.com during a promotional campaign for his autobiography back in Ivory Coast.
"Mourinho is my friend and I am happy for him because he was missing coaching.
"He is a top coach but, like I said, my contract here runs until 2010."
Drogba, who was sent-off late on during the UEFA Champions League final with Manchester United for slapping Nemanja Vidic, also spoke of his disappointment at ending the 2007/08 season empty-handed.
"I am really disappointed with myself (for getting sent-off)," he added.
"I lost my head completely and I let the team down. I should not have reacted in that way.
"I let myself down, the Chelsea fans, my homeland - but that is life.
"I have now lost three finals. One Uefa Cup (with Marseille), an African Nations Cup and now the Champions League, but that is football.
"Hopefully I will win the next one."
More news from SportingLife.com
Comment 5 - 24 of 24
Drogba is indeed the best stricker in the world despite what happened in Mowsco.It happens to any player.Chelsea needs drogba ,and I believe Drogba loves chelsea.If we meet Man United again,drogba will disgrace them like he usally does.
James W. Saygarn-Monrovia,Liberia
Oh come on! All this tok of drogba being the best in the world in his position is purely nursery school dreaming. He's no henry, no van nistelrooy, no torres, etc. Just that chelsea are not in the business of signing truly world class finishers, save for sheva who flopped spectacularly! That's why he looks so gud there. he's a good striker coz of his fighting spirit, but he's not legend material.
Drogba should go , he shamed chelsea by getting sent off in champions league final and has said all season that he wanted to go and for a big bloke dont he go down easy , i hate that , i have supported Chelsea for 38 yrs and grew up with players that would be embarassed to full over like him , just look at my hero Zola a little bloke who stood his ground and never dived
just like I said, DROGBA will NOT LEAVE CHELSEA ........ trust me....
chelsea 4 eve..
I think Chelsea should let him go. Because he doesn't have any respect for Chelsea. When Mourinhio was sacked, he always said that he wants to leave. This is not good for a club and it is insulting.
REF MARCO D EVEN MY 5 YEAR OLD RECKONS DROGBA IS A CHEAT AND HE SUPPORTS CHELSEA. SO IF YOUR CALLING MY SON FICKLE BRING IT ON. ARRANGE A MEET THEN SEE WHO IS FICKLE. CHELSEA TIL I DIE
fair play to the arsenal fan i agree most fans are fickle im chelsea and i know drogba can be a tit sometimes but you take the rough with the smoothe and he is unplayable at times and he scores vital goals for us.I just wonder how many mancs said the same stuff about eric cantana when he did that karate kick? not many cos they knew how important he was for the team.
I`m an Arsenal fan, and i honestly think Drogba is a top quality player, Chelsea fans are a fickle bunch. If he left them, they would struggle without his goals.
I`m an Arsenal fan, and i honestly think Drogba is a top quality player, Chelsea fans are a fickle bunch. If he left them, they would struggle without his goals.
i really,really hope that drogba will stay at Chelsea. He is not a diving person like everybody say. Who the hell are they.... just wanna condemmed people like drogba.No matter what happen in the next season , He is so powerful, and very important person at penalty box. For drogba, just ignore what other people say..I strongly believed that he could implement his charisma to the highest level and put more pressure at Man U....
Chelsea....Chelsea....
from scofield
I`m an Arsenal fan, and i honestly think Drogba is a top quality player, Chelsea fans are a fickle bunch. If he left them, they would struggle without his goals.
drogba is the best in the world in his position but often enough you get attitude with arrogance and drama but he has been 100% on the feild for us and that is what counts.Does everyone remember ronaldo cheating and diving just like most foreign players trying to con the refs? I think most manu fans are fickle and jealous.DO ALL YOU MANCS REMEMBER SAHA DIVING TO WIN A PEN AGAINST CHELSEA IN THE FIRST GAME.all gone quiet over there!! HOW MANY TIMES DOES SCHOLES GET AWAY WITH CHEATING AND FOWLING,IN THE CHAMPS FINAL HE SHOULD OF WALKED AND RIOS HAND BALL IN THE BOX AND HE NEARLY TOOK OFF COLES HEAD IN THE BOX ? TYPICAL REFS BOTTLING MANU DECISIONS.
drogba showed in champions league final he aint a team player. Why on earth would any team want him in their side. I notice not one prem side has made a bid for him. As i said on Chelsea TV 3 YEARS AGO CRESPO WAS ALWAYS THE BETTER PLAYER. MAYBE NOW WE WILL SEE THE TRUE SHEVCHENKO. CHELSEA TIL I DIE
JUST GO DROGBA. ANYWHERE WILL DO JUST GO. CHELSEA TIL I DIE
Drogba is a knob, he cheats, he dives, he is disloyal to Chelsea, he says he loves it then he says he wants to ge, It really pissses me of when I hear this from any player, they all get paid way to much money, get treated like superstars and thats the way the acts, get the @#$% out of england and go where everyone behaves like you, ITALY.
Drogba is a knob, he cheats, he dives, he is disloyal to Chelsea, he says he loves it then he says he wants to ge, It really pissses me of when I hear this from any player, they all get paid way to much money, get treated like superstars and thats the way the acts, get the @#$% out of england and go where everyone behaves like you, ITALY.
drogba is a waste of space spends 80 of the 90 mins sittinng on his a*se and whinging
has no loyalty to chelsea
cant wait to see the back of him
I hope Drogba stays. When he plays to his potential there is nobody better.
Man do I hate Man U fans, they are some of the biggest arseholes in the world.
They are such haters.
he no chelsea are the best when he play with he heart he the best i hope he stays
drogba just cant seem to make up his mind huh? first he says he wants to leave chelsea..then he says he loves chelsea..then he says he never want to play for chelsea..then he says he's proud to be at chelsea..funny eh?
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account