Drogba reflects on change of fortune

Didier Drogba is determined to fire Chelsea to glory in the Carling Cup and help himself to the coveted 'Golden Boot' at the end of the season.

Drogba's inspirational form, which has seen him smash more than 25 goals so far this season, has already helped him to beat the boo-boys who almost drove him out of England.

The Carling Cup final against Arsenal will provide the Ivory Coast international with another chance to demonstrate the goalscoring prowess that has made him one of the most feared forwards in the game.

"Of course I can win the Golden Boot. But as much as I'd love to be the top scorer, it would mean nothing if Chelsea don't win the league. I'd like to win the Premiership and the Golden Boot," said Drogba today.

"I've scored some great goals this year. If I had to pick my best, I'd say it was the one at Everton. It was a dramatic last-minute goal and a very important one because we came from behind to win."

It is a long way from the days when he was branded one of the biggest cheats in the game - even if he did not always understand the reasons why.

"Wherever I play, I always give everything for my team, and I always have a lot of respect for my shirt and my club.

"I handled the ball (against Mancehster City) but this is part of the game. I try to score and, if the referee sees the handball, there is a restart."

Now though he is the talk of west London and desperate to bring more glory to the club and coach Jose Mourinho, whose own future is the subject of continual speculation.

But, while rumours persist Mourinho will quit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, Drogba is staying put. He signed a new contract earlier this season, which ties the striker to Chelsea for a further three years.

"I regard the new contract with Chelsea as reward for hard work - but I also want to repay the club for keeping the faith," he said. "We want to win all four trophies this season and we believe we have the ability to do it.

"At the moment, we are taking things as they come and that is working for us. But we've dominated English football for the last few years and now we want to set new records.

"At 28, I am definitely thinking of ending my career at Chelsea - if that's what the fans want to hear. But I will play the game until I can no longer push myself."