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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6722487.ece
Didier Drogba has given his word to Chelsea that he will sign a new contract in the next few weeks that is likely to result in him ending his career at the club.
The finer points of a three-year deal worth £120,000 a week have yet to be finalised, but agreement has been reached in principle and the Ivory Coast striker is expected to sign before the start of the season.
Drogba, 31, has threatened to leave Stamford Bridge on several occasions since arriving as the club’s then record £24 million signing five years ago, so news of his renewed commitment will come as a welcome boost, particularly with Chelsea struggling to make much impact in the transfer market.
The marquee signing that Carlo Ancelotti has been promised remains elusive, but the manager has spoken to the club’s hierarchy about attempting to hijack Real Madrid’s move for Xabi Alonso, who is unsettled at Liverpool.
Ancelotti outlined his attacking plans yesterday for the coming season and pledged to reverse recent trends at Chelsea by playing with two strikers when possible. The Italian described Drogba as irreplaceable, but had less encouragement for Andriy Shevchenko, who has been told effectively that he can leave the club. Despite their long association, Ancelotti started the Ukraine striker in only two Serie A matches at AC Milan last season and is planning to facilitate his exit from Stamford Bridge.
“I would like to play with two strikers because we put more zonal pressing,†Ancelotti said. “I want to follow this way. Drogba is a very important player for us and we want him to play for Chelsea. He’s irreplaceable as no other striker in the world can do the same job. I’ve spoken with Drogba and know what he wants. He told me he’s happy to stay.
“I speak to Shevchenko every day and the situation is this: he’s with us until August 31 and then we take a decision together. I don’t know what will happen as the club has not received any offers.â€
Ancelotti also revealed that he would like to trim his 27-man squad, so several other departures can be expected over the next month. The Italian will start by clearing out the dead wood that previous managers have collected up front — Chelsea have seven strikers — with Claudio Pizarro and Franco Di Santo the most vulnerable, along with Shevchenko.
Chelsea also have an abundance of central midfield players and, given the club’s desire for self-sufficiency, John Obi Mikel would have to be sold to make room for Alonso. The Nigeria midfield player has only one year left on his contract and has yet to be offered another.
“It would be better to have 23 players, but now I want to see them all, the people I don’t know very well,†Ancelotti said. “There will be less players, but 24 or 25 is not a problem.â€
Ancelotti is unlikely to buy another striker however, because in addition to Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou, he is expecting big things from Daniel Sturridge. The 19-year-old scored on his debut against the Seattle Sounders last weekend and has been told that he has an important role to play this season. “Sturridge will stay with the first team,†Ancelotti said. “He's young and has good quality and we expect him to have a very good season. To score in the first game, that’s good for us and good for him. He will improve and has to improve.
“I knew him before I came here, but didn’t see a lot of matches. He has a lot of quality because he’s a striker who is quick and intelligent in his movement for others.â€
Good news if true on Drogba.
Not so sure about the Alonso move, especially if it is at the Mikel's expense.
Didier Drogba has given his word to Chelsea that he will sign a new contract in the next few weeks that is likely to result in him ending his career at the club.
The finer points of a three-year deal worth £120,000 a week have yet to be finalised, but agreement has been reached in principle and the Ivory Coast striker is expected to sign before the start of the season.
Drogba, 31, has threatened to leave Stamford Bridge on several occasions since arriving as the club’s then record £24 million signing five years ago, so news of his renewed commitment will come as a welcome boost, particularly with Chelsea struggling to make much impact in the transfer market.
The marquee signing that Carlo Ancelotti has been promised remains elusive, but the manager has spoken to the club’s hierarchy about attempting to hijack Real Madrid’s move for Xabi Alonso, who is unsettled at Liverpool.
Ancelotti outlined his attacking plans yesterday for the coming season and pledged to reverse recent trends at Chelsea by playing with two strikers when possible. The Italian described Drogba as irreplaceable, but had less encouragement for Andriy Shevchenko, who has been told effectively that he can leave the club. Despite their long association, Ancelotti started the Ukraine striker in only two Serie A matches at AC Milan last season and is planning to facilitate his exit from Stamford Bridge.
“I would like to play with two strikers because we put more zonal pressing,†Ancelotti said. “I want to follow this way. Drogba is a very important player for us and we want him to play for Chelsea. He’s irreplaceable as no other striker in the world can do the same job. I’ve spoken with Drogba and know what he wants. He told me he’s happy to stay.
“I speak to Shevchenko every day and the situation is this: he’s with us until August 31 and then we take a decision together. I don’t know what will happen as the club has not received any offers.â€
Ancelotti also revealed that he would like to trim his 27-man squad, so several other departures can be expected over the next month. The Italian will start by clearing out the dead wood that previous managers have collected up front — Chelsea have seven strikers — with Claudio Pizarro and Franco Di Santo the most vulnerable, along with Shevchenko.
Chelsea also have an abundance of central midfield players and, given the club’s desire for self-sufficiency, John Obi Mikel would have to be sold to make room for Alonso. The Nigeria midfield player has only one year left on his contract and has yet to be offered another.
“It would be better to have 23 players, but now I want to see them all, the people I don’t know very well,†Ancelotti said. “There will be less players, but 24 or 25 is not a problem.â€
Ancelotti is unlikely to buy another striker however, because in addition to Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou, he is expecting big things from Daniel Sturridge. The 19-year-old scored on his debut against the Seattle Sounders last weekend and has been told that he has an important role to play this season. “Sturridge will stay with the first team,†Ancelotti said. “He's young and has good quality and we expect him to have a very good season. To score in the first game, that’s good for us and good for him. He will improve and has to improve.
“I knew him before I came here, but didn’t see a lot of matches. He has a lot of quality because he’s a striker who is quick and intelligent in his movement for others.â€
Good news if true on Drogba.
Not so sure about the Alonso move, especially if it is at the Mikel's expense.
