Didier Drogba: I want to stay at Chelsea for life

The striker, who is expected to announce that he has agreed a new three-year deal in the next few days, had been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer. Despite proving to be one of Chelsea's best players last season, the club considered cashing in on him after his embarrassing loss of temper following their Champions League exit to Barcelona in May.

But the Blues hierarchy have had a change of heart and Drogba is delighted to be staying. He said: "I have said before that I am happy at Chelsea and that I want to stay. I could finish my career here, I would love to do that."

Manager Carlo Ancelotti is also a big fan of the former Marseille star, who is likely to be his first-choice striker this season.

Following their victory at the Rose Bowl in the second game of Chelsea's US tour, the Italian said: "He is a very important player and for sure he will stay a lot of time with Chelsea. He played very well against Inter in what was just his first game of the season."

Drogba is convinced that Chelsea will be serious contenders for major honours, even though they have been quiet in the transfer market this summer.

Chelsea have only signed Yuri Zhirkov, Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge and been frustrated in their attempts to buy a 'marquee' player.

But the 31-year-old is adamant that they will provide a hard match for any of the Premier League's top sides.

He said: "Whenever you play for Chelsea, you need to play good and have big objectives. This squad went to the Champions League semi-final last season and to the final two seasons ago so the team is very good.

"If we sign one or two more players they will be welcome but if not we will still be very competitive."

Ancelotti outwitted Inter's former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho tactically by playing two strikers up front and it is a system that he plans to maintain for the whole of next season.

Drogba is welcoming the change, despite spending much of his Chelsea career playing on his own up front. He added: "It's very interesting to play with two strikers. There will be less work for me and there will be someone to share the defensive work. That's good.

"Also, with the players in midfield we will create more chances and get the ball to score goals."

Drogba said he expects captain John Terry, who met Hollywood actor Will Ferrell before the match, to resist the lure of Manchester City by staying at Chelsea. Mourinho refused to attend the post-match press conference.

The club will now fly to Baltimore to take on Ancelotti's former team, AC Milan.

Ancelotti added: "I'm looking forward to facing Milan and seeing some old friends."