Didier Drogba has revealed that he has begun talks with Chelsea over a new contract.
Chelsea star ready to sign
Didier Drogba has revealed that he has begun talks with Chelsea over a new contract.
The 33-year-old has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, with Tottenham and former club Marseille strongly linked.
But the Ivorian superstar has made it clear he wants to stay in West London and he is ready to extend his current deal which has one-year remaining.
The new two-year deal would tie him to the club until 2013 and Drogba is hopeful that talks will soon be concluded.
"We've started talking and it's very interesting. Everybody knows what I feel about Chelsea and what I want," he said.
"I will definitely be here next season. I said a few years ago that I will be here until the end of my contract, and I am here.
"Now I need to keep playing well here and giving my best, like I always try to do.
"This will be my eighth season at this club and it means a lot for any striker to stay that long at Chelsea."
No guarantee
For the first time in his Chelsea career Drogba admits he will not be assured of a first-team place this season.
The 33-year-old is set to compete with 50million striker Fernando Torres for the starter's role with new boss Andre Villas-Boas seemingly set to employ a single striker in a 4-3-3 formation.
With the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge, who impressed on loan at Bolton last term, also in the squad Drogba knows competition for the striker's role will be fierce.
"Yes, I think we are [contending for one place]," added Drogba, who has been the Blues' most effective player in the lone-striker's role during his seven years in West London.
"That's the manager's choice, but it's been like this for me for all my years at this club.
"It was the same when Eidur Gudjohnsen was here, when [Andriy] Shevchenko was here, and all of the other times.
"I'm 33, I'm the oldest player and, even if that feels strange, I'm not worried.
"If I deserve to play then I will play. If I'm not good then I won't. It's good for the team to have some competition."
