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Drogba signs new Chelsea contract | Drogba signs new Chelsea contract |
(3 days later) | |
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed a new four-year deal running until 2010. | Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has signed a new four-year deal running until 2010. |
The 28-year-old joined the club for £24m in July 2004 and has been in fine form this season with 10 goals in 15 games to his credit. | The 28-year-old joined the club for £24m in July 2004 and has been in fine form this season with 10 goals in 15 games to his credit. |
The Ivory Coast international told Chelsea's television station: "I am not playing well just because I wanted to sign a new contract. | The Ivory Coast international told Chelsea's television station: "I am not playing well just because I wanted to sign a new contract. |
"I'm playing well as I feel good and I am happy to train with my friends." | "I'm playing well as I feel good and I am happy to train with my friends." |
There were doubts cast over Drogba's first-team chances at Chelsea when manager Jose Mourinho landed striker Andriy Shevchenko in the summer. | There were doubts cast over Drogba's first-team chances at Chelsea when manager Jose Mourinho landed striker Andriy Shevchenko in the summer. |
But Drogba has risen to the challenge while Shevchenko has struggled for form. | But Drogba has risen to the challenge while Shevchenko has struggled for form. |
I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me Didier Drogba | I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me Didier Drogba |
Drogba scored a last-gasp equaliser against Barcelona in a Champions League match on Tuesday as well as netting the winner when the two clubs met in the reverse group game. | Drogba scored a last-gasp equaliser against Barcelona in a Champions League match on Tuesday as well as netting the winner when the two clubs met in the reverse group game. |
His collection of goals so far during the campaign also saw him grab an exquisite winner when Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge. | His collection of goals so far during the campaign also saw him grab an exquisite winner when Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge. |
Drogba added: "I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me since the beginning and now we will be together for a long time. The best period of my career I think. | Drogba added: "I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me since the beginning and now we will be together for a long time. The best period of my career I think. |
"I am happy because when I came here it wasn't easy for me to say I would be signing a new contract with Chelsea, because everybody knows the first year was difficult. | "I am happy because when I came here it wasn't easy for me to say I would be signing a new contract with Chelsea, because everybody knows the first year was difficult. |
"The second one was okay but I knew I could do better." | "The second one was okay but I knew I could do better." |
606: DEBATE On form Drogba is without question the most feared striker in the world CL 606: Have your say | 606: DEBATE On form Drogba is without question the most feared striker in the world CL 606: Have your say |
Drogba has been linked with possible moves to either Italian side AC Milan and Lyon of France but Mourinho believes the signing of a new deal will put any speculation to bed. | Drogba has been linked with possible moves to either Italian side AC Milan and Lyon of France but Mourinho believes the signing of a new deal will put any speculation to bed. |
"It is good for Chelsea, Didier deserves a big contract. | "It is good for Chelsea, Didier deserves a big contract. |
"Now he can go to Milan for shopping and no-one can say he goes to sign a contract. | "Now he can go to Milan for shopping and no-one can say he goes to sign a contract. |
"His friend from Lyon can call and people don't say he is calling to sign him. It's fantastic." | "His friend from Lyon can call and people don't say he is calling to sign him. It's fantastic." |
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