Drogba eyeing 'dream' strike partnership

Didier Drogba admits he has just experienced the most difficult period of his career but believes joining forces in a “dream” partnership with free-scoring Nicolas Anelka up front for Chelsea could change all that.

Anelka has taken advantage of the Ivory Coast striker’s injury problems at the start of this season to secure a regular spot in attack for the Blues.

Drogba has had to be content with a place on the bench in recent weeks, giving rise to fears he may look to quit Stamford Bridge and he was this week linked with a switch to Inter Milan, coached by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

However, the 30-year-old is determined to bounce back by being let loose with Anelka for the second half of the season.

When asked in an interview with Aujourd’hui Sport if the last six months had been the most difficult of his career, he said: “That is for sure.

“They have been difficult but I have experienced other tricky moments and I know how to get out of it.

“Nico is in top form but that doesn’t surprise me. When he was at Bolton, he scored lots of goals and his team were low down the table so I knew he was going to succeed at Chelsea.

“He is benefiting from the fact he is playing regularly and I am happy for him. The dream for both of us is to play together in attack.

“I am sure we could score lots of goals but for that to happen, we must be playing together.”

Drogba is never far from controversy. Accused by the media of being a diver since joining Chelsea from Marseille in 2004, he has also appeared unsettled ever since Mourinho left the club in September last year.

Drogba also hit the headlines a fortnight ago when he copped a three-match ban for violent conduct after throwing a coin into the crowd during his team’s Carling Cup defeat by Burnley at Stamford Bridge.