DROGBA HINTS AT RETURN TO FOOTBALL

Chelsea legend and former Ivory Coast international, Didier Drogba has hinted at a possible retirement U-turn, revealing that he will continue playing football very soon, after the Phoenix Rising FC’s defeat in the final of the United Soccer League.

The 40 year old who is a co-owner and a player at the Phoenix club since 2007, had originally confirmed he’ll be retiring at the end of the season, which has now come to an end following Phoenix’s 1-0 loss at Louisville City. Read more »

POOR SEASON

Didier Drogba and Ivory Coast have not enjoyed going through successful moments during the past World Cup participations as they on the 2006 and 2010 editions but failed on getting past the group stages.

In 2006 Ivory Coast had to settle with a 3rd place finish as they fell behind Argentina and Netherlands and 4 years later during the 2010 World Cup, Ivory Coast couldn’t get past Brazil and Portugal in the standings of the group stages and that was as far as they have been able on reaching.

This time around Ivory Coast was pitted against Japan, Colombia and Greece in what is expected to be a much simpler group stages and considering that this will be the last World Cup of Didier Drogba, he wants to end his international career with Ivory Coast on a high note.

“Competing at the previous two tournaments was very difficult. We have a realistic chance to do better in Brazil and get past the first round’’ Drogba stated.

The French manager Sabri Lamouchi is the person in charge of Ivory Coast to help the nation reach a platform that they have never been able to accomplish in their history and he has praised the importance that Drogba has in the squad even at his 36 years of age.

“Didier is a great footballer who contributes so much to the team and he can be a major factor in Brazil. Ivory Coast has never reached the second round and should we do so in Brazil, there is a sense that nothing is impossible.” Lamouchi announced.

Yaya Toure is another high profile player who is expected to be one of the main engines and driving forces behind Ivory Coast and their journey through the 2014 World Cup.

TERRY SET TO FOLLOW DROGBA?

John Terry’s contract with Chelsea runs up until the end of the current season which is in summer and no extensions have been made which raises the question on whether or not the English defender will still be playing for another year.

Something that is clear however is the fact that he wants to create a future in management. Once his playing days are over there is little doubt that Terry will still be involved with the sport in one way or another even though it is outside of the pitch.

Chelsea is presenting the veteran defender with some opportunities for him to initiate himself as coach primarily at academy level first as an incentive to sign a new deal although for the time being, he wants to focus on playing and finishing his career rather than start venturing on something new and different.

The head boss of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has warned John Terry about what it is to actually coach a club and suggested him not to get too wrapped up in the idea of management.

‘You can be a leader as a player and be in trouble to be a leader as a coach,’ said the Blues boss. And you can be an ordinary player without any voice in a team and go in one direction where you become a fantastic manager. There is no relationship at all.

‘I was a more than ordinary player with a big voice in a team.He has to think now about playing. It’s what he enjoys more.

‘I know players that become managers and you think they have no conditions for that. There are others and you feel they look like they have conditions to be and they aren’t. It’s a bit of a box of surprises.’ Mourinho said.

Didier Drogba Interview: ‘It’s time to move on’

Drogba Movie Rating: 5 / 5

TRIBUTE TO MANDELA

During Galatasaray’s 2-0 triumph against Elazigspor, Didier Drogba took the chance to pay his own tribute to Nelson Mandela with a shirt that had: ‘’Thank You Madiba’’ written on it. Despite making the gesture and the tribute to one of the most influential figures in history as Mandela has made, Didier Drogba is now facing sanctions in Turkey and might even be fined for his actions.

As Turkish news source Hurriyet Daily News explains, the next step is for the pair to explain themselves before a committee:

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) justified the decision by arguing that the players wore the t-shirts in the match against Elazığspor without receiving permission beforehand. Both players displayed the t-shirts after the conclusion of the game, which the Lions won 2-0.

Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue also made a similar tribute as he joined Drogba and is facing the same problems and sanctions as his teammate Drogba.

Drogba has responded by posting a picture montage on Instagram including a photo of his own meeting with the former South Africa president.

He adds that he would do it again:

I’d be very interested to see your comments on this…but I’m sorry if I had to I would do it again and again. Nor because of political beliefs but because this man inspired me, a country, a continent, the world!!!!! Thanks again Madiba.

Didier Drogba – Welcome to Galatasaray

Drogba Video Rating: 4 / 5