DROGBA RETURNS
Ivory Coast manager Sabri Lamouchi has confirmed that star striker Didier Drogba will return to international football in August. The former Chelsea striker has been missing from the international team for the last couple of important matches, which has prompted suggestions that his international days may well and truly be over. The 35-year-old striker has long been suggested to be contemplating retirement from the national team in order to allow younger players opportunity to shine. Even with the presence of Drogba, Ivory Coast have failed to win their first major tournament for more than two decades.
There has also been suggestions that Drogba has fallen out with Lamouchi, but he has put aside such suggestions by saying that the former Chelsea great will return to action sooner rather than later. After failing to win the latest edition of the African cup of nations, the future of star players like Drogba and Kolo Toure has been thrown into doubt. Despite the presence of several big-name players, Ivory Coast have flopped at all the recent African cup of nations. Lamouchi took charge of the national team only recently.
Lamouchi has said that trip was absent from the first team only because of the lack of fitness and not because of him falling out with a player.
“Didier Drogba and I are in permanent contact. He has had a difficult year. After last year’s Champions League, there was a transfer to China where he was surprised to find the level of play was below what he expected. He lost sharpness. He just needs, given his age, rest and the right preparation going into the new season. But for the next friendly match in August, Drogba will be with us,” said the Ivory Coast manager. Drogba has made 95 appearances for the national team till date.
Exclusif : Didier Drogba fait du foot freestyle dans Riding Zone (France Ô) !
Drogba Video Score: five / five
NO HANDSHAKES
Chelsea and England captain John Terry did not accept the offer of a handshake from Football Association chairman David Bernstein in a ceremony to hand over the Champions League trophy back to UEFA. Bernstein played a key role in stripping John Terry of his captaincy from the England national team on charges of being guilty of racism. Terry was found not guilty of racism by the court of law, but the FA deemed that he was guilty of using racial words against QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
The 32-year-old was stripped of the England captaincy, while he also announced his decision to retire from international duty. Terry was also banned for four matches as well. Speaking about his decision not to shake hands with Bernstein, Terry said that it was extremely difficult for him given that Bernstein had spoken about him at the court of law. Chelsea’s year as the European champions came to an end recently, and a ceremony was held in London to hand the trophy back to UEFA. After announcing his retirement from international duty, he said that his position was untenable.
The 69-year-old, Bernstein, has said that he has other things to worry rather than just the lack of handshake between him and the Chelsea defender.
“It’s a difficult one for me. He spoke about me in the court case,” said Terry. “My relationships with everyone here are really fantastic. I didn’t notice a thing and I think we should talk about more positive things than that sort of nonsense. I’m not really terribly concerned. I have other things to think about. In my last three months I have other priorities,” said Bernstein. Bernstein will be stepping down from his role after more than two years in charge of the FA. Terry announced his international retirement in September.