Drogba reveals Olympic dream

Chelsea could be without star striker for season openers

By Giscard Gourizro   Last updated: 3rd June 2008

Dider Drogba Ivory Coast

Drogba: Dedicated to his country

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Didier Drogba has revealed that he would welcome the opportunity to represent Ivory Coast at this summer's Olympic Games.

The African nation are expected to mount a strong challenge for the gold medal in Beijing, and are prepared to call up a number of their European-based players to help their cause.

Drogba, along with his Chelsea team-mate Salomon Kalou, Arsenal's Kolo Toure and Tottenham's Didier Zokora are all believed to have made themselves available for the trip to China.

Each country is allowed to name up to three players over the age of 23 in their squad, so at least one of the Premier League quartet will miss out.

Concerns

However, the tournament is set to overlap the start of the 2008/09 season in England, a worrying situation for the clubs involved.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has already expressed his concern at losing a number of players to the Olympics, while Chelsea's new boss, whoever that may be, will be disappointed to hear his star striker making himself unavailable for domestic action.

"Going to the Olympics is a dream for any player," Drogba said in SPORT.

"I have played in the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup so to complete the set with the Olympics would be great."