Soccer

Drogba admits he became disillusioned with game

SOCCER: Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed he became disillusioned with football over the summer

Mon Dec 29 2008 - 00:00

SOCCER:Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed he became disillusioned with football over the summer. The Ivory Coast international had a troubled end to last season and was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, while he was criticised by fans for not trying hard enough.

Moreover, Drogbal did himself no favours as he was sent off in the Champions League final defeat to Manchester United at the end of the campaign.

Chelsea had to suffer the ignominy of ending the season empty-handed after being on the verge of triumphing at home and abroad and Drogba admits he started to lose interest in the sport.

"This summer, I didn't have a head for football anymore," he told France Football. "I had completely lost my fire.

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"I didn't want to hear talk of objectives or ambition anymore. I felt completely extinguished.

"For the first time in my career, I lost my passion for football. I was lost.

"Last season could have been terrific and spectacular, in the end it was just a good season which left quite a few regrets."

Matters have not improved much for Drogba this season. The 30-year-old has struggled with injury and disciplinary issues this season and has been forced to play second fiddle to Nicolas Anelka at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba insists he is happy to bide his time, although he admits he is baffled as to why the pair are not played in the same team more often.

"For the moment, I just have to keep quiet," he said. "It's not because I've been here for more than four years that I have the right to have demands on a status of starter.

"At the moment there is a man who is scoring and who is piling up goals. I only have to wait my turn.

"I have always said that I was happy that Nicolas came to Chelsea. But I still don't understand why coaches are scared to play us together."

Drogba continues to be linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with reports suggesting he is set to be reunited with former coach Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan in January.

Inter and Mourinho have both denied the claims but the man himself remains coy about his future.

"I'm going to let myself be carried by events," said Drogba. "I could plant myself here, but I have the impression that in 2009, good things will happen for me. Without doubt there will also be surprises."