Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has not ruled out staying at Stamford Bridge next season despite ongoing rumours linking him with a move.
Blues frontman still in negotiations over contract
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has not ruled out staying at Stamford Bridge next season despite ongoing rumours linking him with a move away from the club.
The Ivory Coast international is out of contract in the summer and is yet to agree a new deal, with the Blues only willing to offer him a 12-month extension rather than the two years he covets.
Drogba, who will be 34 next month, has been linked with a move to big-spending Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, where he would be reunited with former Blues strike partner Nicolas Anelka.
However, the striker remains in talks with Chelsea and is keen to stay on beyond this summer.
Rumours
"The chances of me being a Chelsea player next season? I don't know," he told
Sky Sports News.
"There are a lot of rumours. Everybody knows I want to stay at Chelsea. Everybody knows my heart is blue.
"If I sign a new contract with Chelsea I'm blue, if I go anywhere else I'll still stay blue."
He added in
The Sun: "We are still talking about it, so let's see what comes out of the discussions. I'm optimistic something can happen."
Drogba is desperate to achieve sought-after UEFA Champions League success with Chelsea before he ends his Stamford Bridge career.
The Blues remain in contention for the trophy this season despite their uneven form and the striker, who has been a semi-finalist three times and a finalist once, hopes this year is finally their year.
He said: "I could go to any other team playing in the Champions League and maybe win it. But it would never be the same as if I did it for Chelsea.
"With the history of our different campaigns, to win it for Chelsea would mean more to me than if I did it playing for Barcelona or another team.
"It would be nice somewhere else but not the same. You have to believe, even if there are not a lot of green signals or green lights saying Chelsea could win the Champions League this season."
Appealing
While Drogba remains focused on his playing career, the frontman admits managing Chelsea in the future is an idea which appeals to him.
He said: "It would be interesting to be Chelsea manager. I love this club and I always want to help the people I love, so why not.
"If I was a manager I would give a lot to my players. You have to show them you care and that they are the best and they will pay you back."
