Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Drogba pondered an exit

17 Aug 2006 - 10:55:15

Click To Enlarge

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has admitted that he was tempted to leave the club earlier this summer, before being talked around by coach Jose Mourinho.

The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international was concerned about his position in the Blues set-up after the arrival of Andriy Shevchenko from AC Milan, but has now received assurances about his future at the club.

Drogba told The Sun. "It's true, I wanted to leave at one time.

"Sometimes when you have so much pressure on you there is a need to change scene so that your game does not suffer.

"But we now have a gentleman's agreement and it's nothing to worry about. The club sent an official to me in Paris and I agreed to remain in the team.

"I was satisfied with the boss' explanation on what his priorities are for the upcoming season.

"He assured me that the changes in the attack were not made to neglect my role in the team, but to complement it."

Drogba joined the Blues for £24million from Marseille in the summer of 2004 and has gone on to net 34 goals in 83 appearances.