Crespo considered quitting

Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, on loan with AC Milan, has admitted he reached such a low with injuries last season that he considered retirement.

The Argentinian has been in excellent form this term, firing the Milan club to the top of Serie A and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

He has scored 15 goals in all competitions, but his terrific campaign almost did not happen.

“When I was jumping from one injury to another, I thought about retirement,” said Crespo in Argentina, where he is preparing with the national squad for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifying match against Colombia.

“I wasn’t able to play two games in a row and that depressed me a lot. I couldn’t see any light in the tunnel; I wasn’t feeling comfortable with myself. At one point, I thought this June was my deadline.”

Crespo has scored 10 goals in Serie A, one in the Coppa Italia and four in the Champions League – including both of the strikes in Milan’s 2-0 aggregate win over Manchester United in the last-16 tie.

Milan are hopeful of sealing his permanent transfer in the coming months.