Drogba - Keep on booing

13 October 2009 21:31
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Didier Drogba insists he cares little when opposition supporters boo him, so long as Chelsea fans continue to offer their affection.[LNB] The Ivory Coast international is the darling of Stamford Bridge, but is not so well thought of elsewhere in the Premier League.[LNB]Drogba, currently on international duty, was jeered by Liverpool fans every time he hit the floor during Chelsea's 2-0 victory over the Reds prior to the international break.[LNB]But Drogba, whose goal in the 1-1 draw with Malawi at the weekend ensured the Ivory Coast would take part in the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer, says defenders know they can knock him off balance because the speed of the game is so fast.[LNB]"I think the Chelsea fans appreciate what I do for the team, which is the most important thing," Drogba said in an interview in this week's issue of Nuts Magazine.[LNB]"I always work hard for my team-mates. Other fans? Well, it's their job to dislike opposition players, isn't it? Being booed is no problem.[LNB]"I'm a target for my team-mates, getting the ball and setting up attacks - and scoring goals. Defenders also see me as a target because of this.[LNB]"When you play the game at great speed, it requires very little contact to put you off balance. And I'm never afraid to put my body in the way for my team, up front or in defence. People forget that I defend well, too!"[LNB]ContentDrogba has scored six goals already this season, all of them in the Premier League, and seems at his happiest since the departure of Jose Mourinho in September 2007.[LNB]Drogba's Chelsea career dipped under former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari to such an extent that he was axed from the squad.[LNB]But after Scolari was sacked in February, Drogba's confidence re-emerged under interim boss Guus Hiddink and his successor Carlo Ancelotti.[LNB]"I've been through a lot - different coaches have different methods and, sometimes, that wasn't the best for me," admitted Drogba.[LNB]"But I'm enjoying my football. This club is my home, the team is my family. I want to stay here for a long time.[LNB]"The coach (Ancelotti) has been excellent for all of us. He's come in and brought us together. Tactically, he's very clever and communicates well. He saw that we have talented players and he creates a frame for us to perform at our best."[LNB]PartnershipMuch has been made of Ancelotti's 'diamond' and 'Christmas tree' formations but they have managed to get the best out of Drogba and strike partner Nicolas Anelka.[LNB]Anelka has chipped in with five goals so far this season, including decisive strikes in the Champions League victories over Porto and Apoel Nicosia.[LNB]Ancelotti's systems appear to have finally proved the pair can play together in attack.[LNB]"Some said that we couldn't play together but we've shown that we're a great team," added Drogba.[LNB]"He's one of the best strikers in the world and he's very different to me because we operate in different areas. He helps me to score and I like to help him."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports