Jose sings Drogba's praises
17 Jul 2007 - 09:51:54
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- Jose sings Drogba's praises
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is determined to hang on to Didier Drogba even though the Ivory Coast international has once again hinted that his future may lie elsewhere.
The 29-year-old is reportedly interesting Barcelona, FC Porto and AC Milan and has said he has still not decided where he will be playing his football in the new season.
But the Blues boss insisted: "You know Drogba has always been important since he arrived.
"Even in his first season when he was not scoring a lot of goals, his contribution as a team player was massive.
"So when we remember he was the top scorer in the country and one of the best players in the Champions League (last season) and when I see him in training and he looks so sharp and with only one week of work, his quality looks even better than last season.
"I think we will have the same Didier we had last season and that for us is fantastic because as a striker and a team player it's difficult to find better."
Drogba had earlier told The Sun: "For now things are still fuzzy, not clear. Yet any good offer could tip the scale in another team's favour.
"I have heard there are offers from Porto, Barca and the rest. But I've not made up my mind.
"There is no season I don't have many offers. Yet as a disciplined player I look at my career, which is uppermost, and my family.
"I would love to stay in England. I want to improve on my last season's performance and to win more titles in England.
"But any strong economic pull can make me change my mind.
"I always give my team 100 per cent. But if I feel I'm not being taken care of, I quit."