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.