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Didier Drogba 'really happy' at Shanghai Shenhua

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments75

Drogba 'staying at Shanghai'

Didier Drogba insists he is "really happy" in China and intends to see out his two-and-a-half-year contract at Shanghai Shenhua.

The 34-year-old left Chelsea in the summer

and led to suggestions he could return to the Premier League.

But Drogba has told Football Focus he expects to remain in China until the end of his contract and "maybe more".

Drogba has scored five goals in seven games so far for the Chinese Super League outfit

"I hope more because I'm really happy here," he said. "I miss the Premier League because it's the best league in the world, but really I don't regret my choice.

"I just arrived like two months ago so I'm really happy. I am, I'm really happy here so I have no reasons to leave. I don't want to leave here."

Drogba scored 157 goals during his eight years at Chelsea and was central to

He arrived at Shenhua midway through the Chinese Super League campaign, eight weeks after ex-Fulham boss Jean Tigana had stepped down as head coach. The side have had a disappointing campaign and are ninth in the table with six games remaining.

"I want to stay here, as long as I can win some trophies with my team and make our fans very happy," added Drogba.

"It's difficult at the moment, but I know that there's hope and I believe."

Drogba, who also denied reports he was not being paid by the Chinese club, described winning the Champions League with Chelsea - he scored the winning penalty in the final - as the "best moment of my career".

"To be able to win it in that kind of game was perfect and it's something you will never forget," he said.

"But you have to carry on in life, so now I am focused on what I can bring to the Chinese league.

"Hopefully, within a few years, when my contract finishes here, I will be sitting with you and talking about how fantastic it was to win the Asian Champions League."

You can watch an interview with Didier Drogba on Football Focus on Saturday at 12:15 BST on BBC One.

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75 comments

  • Comment posted by U15349825, at 09:30 21 Sep 2012

    Those that call Drogba a money grabber should do some research as to what he actually uses his money on. The Didier Drogba Foundation has done so much towards building schools and hospitals in the Ivory Coast. You don't see the likes of Ibrahimovic and Rooney doing that!

  • Comment posted by U15432076, at 10:18 21 Sep 2012

    @9 Rooney invests a lot of time, effort and money in helping local disadvantaged women aged between 18 and 65

  • Comment posted by dr_badbeats, at 09:12 21 Sep 2012

    Fair play to him, he's had the chance to further his career and make some money, and taken it.

    Going out of european football on a high, is what most players would dream of doing.

  • Comment posted by strictlyjc, at 14:19 21 Sep 2012

    @ 41. Chris

    I can guarantee you that if you're not doing it now, you won't suddenly develop some love with £100,000 a week. What are you doing with your time? I guess if you had 26 hours in a day you would happily volunteer some of that time to something that benefits others aside from you and your family! Please!!!

  • Comment posted by correct kane, at 13:23 21 Sep 2012

    Didier is a legend, Mr Chelsea and wouldn't lower himself to wear another Premier league shirt. A real big game player. All Chelsea fans will be glad to hear he's happy in whatever he does from hereon in. "Blue is the colour, football is the game, we're altogether and winning is our aim".

  • Comment posted by U5707270, at 19:53 21 Sep 2012

    I never used to "like" Drogba, put couldn't deny he was an awesome player. Chelsea will win nothing without him this year (despite £80m on new attackers). But why begrudge him the cash? He's completed the medal haul bu almost single-handedly winning the CL for Chelsea, so spend a couple of years earning £10m pa in China. Spend it on charity or spend it on himself, up to him. Ah, the haters ;-)

  • Comment posted by bp2, at 16:26 21 Sep 2012

    200k a week - he's happy.

    Thats good. Cos I was worried.

  • Comment posted by v-n-n-n-n, at 15:57 21 Sep 2012

    Drogba looks like a black Chris Morris

  • Comment posted by U15432336, at 13:39 21 Sep 2012

    I think I will actually cry if he goes to another prem club...we miss you Didi!!!

  • Comment posted by Davidsharper, at 12:26 21 Sep 2012

    42. Chris - Exactly. I dont think people fully understood the reasons for his diving. I'm not saying its ok. But it was pay back. Drogba was sent off due to the Barca theatrics. And not to mention all the other players Barca used to get sent off by rolling around. The Drog did promise revenge on the field at the time. And he certainly gave it! No point in always being the victim eh?

  • Comment posted by Stannis Baratheon, at 11:52 21 Sep 2012

    Every single footballer in the top leagues of England, Spain and Italy, donate to charity. Most, because they are pressured to by their clubs/league, but also a significant amount of players do it out of personal choice. Either way, why do we feel like we can say what they do with their money? None of us are poor, but I bet 99% of people in this forum have never given a penny to charity.

  • Comment posted by U15309686, at 10:58 21 Sep 2012

    28.bp2 --

    Does it really matter? I'm sure 5% of 200k a week is more than 5% of nothing..

    also most likely more than 100% of most people's annual salary!

  • Comment posted by U15024275, at 10:47 21 Sep 2012

    @22 Because he can earn more money to put towards those projects by playing in China than he could in Ivory Coast? Pretty simple.

    What's your beef with someone earning a living anyway? Care to share your career decisions with us all so we can rip those apart?

  • Comment posted by BearMcRowdy, at 10:34 21 Sep 2012

    @22 of course you would see things like that. You appear to be incapable of seeing the good in other people that are famous. Truly a typical english no8.

  • Comment posted by blueixus, at 10:25 21 Sep 2012

    I have total respect for Didier, I think he has a plan and being in China which is probably the most powerful country in the world is very much part of it. China has huge influence in Africa and being in China will allow Didier to do much more for his country that being in the UK.

  • Comment posted by BearMcRowdy, at 10:03 21 Sep 2012

    @12 & 16: I think the point no.9 was making was that people are moaning he has gone for money and villify him for that which is harsh as he dedicates a lot of his time to making Ivory Coast better for the people that live there. I used to dislike Drogba until i saw a programme that highlighted all the work he has done in his country. He may be a dislikeable player, but as a person he is admirable.

  • Comment posted by U14861409, at 09:12 21 Sep 2012

    I seem to recall that China did very well in the Olympic Diving events.
    Drogba should feel very comfortable there!

  • Comment posted by U14711137, at 22:32 21 Sep 2012

    Though the Chinese did well at Diving in the Olympics. Didnt think they needed Didier to show them some new tricks????

    BTW lots of respect to the fellow for his work in Ivory Coast, inc Hospital he funded. Decent and an example to some of our guys possibly?

  • Comment posted by dungolfin, at 21:17 21 Sep 2012

    Undoubtedly a fantastically gifted goalscorer, one of the best in recent years. What a pity he tarnished that reputation with his play acting and diving.

  • Comment posted by U15432747, at 19:44 21 Sep 2012

    @65 i'd never noticed that before but he really does !!!

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