Drogba denies he's leaving Chelsea when Mourinho makes up his mind where to manage - Sport - Evening Standard
       

Drogba denies he's leaving Chelsea when Mourinho makes up his mind where to manage

Chelsea's Didier Drogba insists he is not waiting to find out where his former manager Jose Mourinho will be working next season before making a decision on his future.  

Speculation is rife the Ivory Coast frontman could leave Stamford Bridge in the summer, with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid likely destinations.

Inter are also rumoured to be interested in Mourinho's services should their current coach, Roberto Mancini, leave the reigning three-time Italian champions.  

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Looking after No 1: Drogba insists Mourinho's plans will not influence any decision on his Chelsea future

However, Drogba claims he will not make any decisions about his future based on where the Portuguese goes, and reiterated his desire to stay at Chelsea next season.

"My future is to qualify for the World Cup with the Ivory Coast and then, well there's a season to prepare for with Chelsea," he told French sports daily L'Equipe.  

When asked directly if he was waiting to find out where Mourinho would be next year before deciding his future, Drogba simply answered "no".  

Drogba revealed that while it would be good to reunite with his old boss, he would not allow his career to be dictated by anyone other than himself.  

"There's no link," Drogba continued. "There's nothing in that.  

"We had four great years together, and if we ever find ourselves working together again it'd be a great pleasure. 

"My wishes may be different to his, and I would listen to myself before anything else."

The 30-year-old added that he and his Chelsea team-mates struggled to adapt to life after Mourinho - who left Stamford Bridge in September - but claimed the decision to appoint Avram Grant as his successor is now paying dividends.  

"It's true that after Mourinho left there was a period of time where we were searching for ourselves," said Drogba. 

"We had our ways, our habits with him, and then we needed to adapt to the new methods brought in by Avram Grant and get used to how he saw the group.  

"That maybe took a bit of time but in the end it has brought merits."

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