Didier Drogba scored in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Inter Milan and declared captain John Terry was set to turn down Manchester City and stay with the Blues. Drogba helped his club open their World Football Challenge account as slick Chelsea dominated former boss Jose Mourinho’s side.
And as Terry played the full 90 minutes for new head coach Carlo Ancelotti in front of 81,224 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena this morning, despite Manchester City’s concerted effort to coax him to Eastlands, Drogba said the England skipper was going nowhere.
“He’s our captain and we need him and we know he’s going to stay with us and win more trophies,” Drogba told ESPN.
Of his side coming face to face with Mourinho, Drogba said: “It’s always nice to see him, he was a big part of Chelsea’s success and now we’re moving on. We have a new manager now and we’re all happy for him because he won his second game out of two, so it’s all good.
“We’re working hard, this is only the start and we want to be ready for the start of the season.”
Goals from Drogba in the 11th minute and a Frank Lampard penalty just after half-time gave Chelsea the victory over the Italian champions.
The impressive nature of the Blues’ performance more than the scoreline, however, will have delighted new head coach Ancelotti, especially coming so soon into the ex AC Milan chief’s first pre-season campaign and against his former cross-city rivals.
Drogba’s own future has been in question while the offer of a new three-year contract remains unsigned, but Ancelotti revealed the striker has indicated he will stay to form a key part of the Italian’s new-look team.
“Drogba is a very important player for us and we want him to play for Chelsea,” Ancelotti said. “He’s irreplaceable as no other striker in the world can do the same job. I’ve spoken with Drogba and know what he wants. He told me he’s happy to stay.”
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