Drogba defends salary

Didier Drogba has defended the huge salaries the players are paid at Chelsea.

The Ivory Coast marksman arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £24 million move from Marseille, and is reportedly collecting around £80,000 a week at Chelsea.

Stars such as John Terry and Frank Lampard could be earning even more but Drogba insists they are worth the cash as they have to give up huge parts of their lives to be a professional footballer.

It is not just at Chelsea where wages have been hiked upwards, but the arrival of Roman Abramovich's spending power has thrust them into the spotlight.

"People have to know that our job is peculiar," Drogba told Fifa's magazine.

"We usually get our best contracts for a seven-year period at best. After that, you leave football.

"Yes, we do get a lot of money but this is not just down to us. This is the economic situation of football.

"For me, it is not just about money. If my family is not happy and not in good health, there is not a lot to celebrate.

"Football is good, money is good - but health is the most important thing."

Drogba has already admitted that he could have improved his goals tally last season, and he will face tougher competition for a start with the return of Hernan Crespo.

Drogba says that injuries have hindered his progress but says that he will be an improved player next season when back to full fitness.

"It was a little bit difficult at first, because when I first came to London, I was very, very tired," added Drogba.

"It is not easy to start a new season with a new club just at 60 percent of your potential.

"I gave a lot for my old team. The injuries were the result of two or three years of football without holidays and sometimes your body wants to rest.

"But we had a lot of games at Chelsea, which was difficult, and the injuries came. I knew when I was fit, I would give 100 percent to my team."