Showing posts with label Ivory Coast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ivory Coast. Show all posts
Didier Drogba has confirmed he plans to quit Chelsea following his Champions League final heroics, according to France Football magazine.
The Ivory Coast striker has been quoted saying he informed his team-mates of his decision during the club's open-top bus parade on Monday after leading them to the greatest moment in their history on Saturday night.
"We will no longer be together next season," the 34-year-old said in quotes attributed to France Football magazine.
Drogba, who has reportedly already agreed a deal to join Shanghai Shenhua when his Chelsea contract expires this summer, is said to have admitted he struggled to get the words out and burst into tears.
He went on to say: "As I decided to leave, I wanted to tell them straight in the eye. Except that I could not do it. They made me crack.
"Even though it's been three years since I said I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it's over with this club - especially as I did not feel like this.
"But I could not see myself sitting on the bench to watch others play when the club plans to set up a new team.
"So that's it - I am preparing for my leap into the unknown. It's going to be another adventure."
A relatively late developer who only signed his first professional contract at 21, Drogba has scored 157 goals for Chelsea since joining from Marseille in 2004.
His final goals were the equaliser in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich, and the winning spot-kick in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.
Arsene Wenger says summer signing Gervinho has all the attributes required to be successful at Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal fans will get their first glimpse of the Ivorian frontman at the Emirates Cup this weekend following his sensational two-goal debut against FC Cologne on Saturday.
While Wenger knows his 30-minute cameo in Germany is only the start of his career in north London, he has already seen enough of the 24-year-old to know that he will be a fine addition to his strikeforce.
“I am confident he will integrate well into our collective play and he has qualities which will be needed by the group,” said Wenger on Friday. “That is his movement off the ball and his pace.
“The first impression is always very important because you get some trust from the fans and confidence for yourself. He has been successful on that front.
“It is only a half-hour but he has been very efficient. He has the qualities we like from a striker, he can score and give assists.
“Our strength is to play together as a team so to give the ball as a striker is important for us.”
Theo Walcott says Gervinho will be a “breath of fresh air” after the summer signing bagged his first two goals for the Club at the weekend.
The Ivorian striker had already opened his Arsenal account with a delicate lob by the time Walcott’s inch-perfect cross allowed him to tuck home his second after just 15 minutes against Cologne on Saturday.
Aside from his brace, the new addition looked a constant threat in Germany and Walcott is excited by what his new team-mate brings to the squad.
“Gervinho will be a breath of fresh air I think,” he said. “He looks a great talent.
“You can tell he can bring goals, he has got plenty of pace about him and he is very comfortable on the ball. I am looking forward to playing with him.
“You don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I am sure he can deal with that.”
