Drogba: I lost my fire

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Drogba had a troubled end to last season and was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge and criticised by fans for not trying hard enough. Moreover, the Ivory Coast international did himself no favours as he was sent off in the Champions League final defeat to Manchester United.

And he told France Football: "This summer, I didn't have a head for football anymore. I had completely lost my fire."

Chelsea had to suffer the ignominy of ending the season empty-handed after being on the verge of triumphing at home and abroad and Drogba admits he started to lose interest in the sport altogether.

"I didn't want to hear talk of objectives or ambition anymore. I felt completely extinguished," he said.

"For the first time in my career, I lost my passion for football. I was lost.

"Last season could have been terrific and spectacular, in the end it was just a good season which left quite a few regrets."

Matters have not improved much for Drogba this season. The 30-year-old has struggled with injury and disciplinary issues and has been forced to play second fiddle to Nicolas Anelka at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba insists he is happy to bide his time, although he admits he is baffled as to why the pair are not played in the same team more often.

"For the moment, I just have to keep quiet," he said. "It's not because I've been here for more than four years that I have the right to have demands on a status of starter. At the moment there is a man who is scoring and who is piling up goals. I only have to wait my turn."