Ivory Coast and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba believes that his team has no other choice but to finish the Premier League this season in the top four to maintain their regular appearance in the UEFA Champions League.
“I may look arrogant but no, because I hope and I believe we're going to win all of our games to finish in the top four,” the former Marseille hitman, who has never missed Champions League action since joining Chelsea in 2004, was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
"Maybe we took it for granted that every year we would be in the first two or first three position.
"We have to fight and the manager is responsible, the players are responsible, I think the whole team is responsible for that. So it's difficult to pick one man and put the blame on him,” he added.
The Ivorian international is set to return to the Blues after helping his country finish as runners-up at African Cup of Nation. The Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas will be relying on the 33-year old player return to help the club end its four -match winless streak.
Recent rumors claimed that Drogba’s teammates are not happy with their coach management style or team selections, but the two-time African footballer of the year believes returning to winning ways is a must to end that issue.
“"All of this can be true but if you win with the same tactics we are playing now, nobody will complain. The best way to keep a team happy is to win games,” Ivory Coast all-time Top Scorer, Drogba, revealed.
"For me the manager's age is not an issue, you have to respect his position and his authority.
"It's difficult because we are trying to change the way we play and to adapt to his philosophy so that's maybe why it's taking time and we are struggling to be in the top two.
"But I don't think it's about the style the manager wants to bring to the team, it's about winning games,” he concluded.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter: @AO_Sports)
Short link: