Drogba: Show me the money
Didier Drogba insists Chelsea’s players are right behind manager Jose Mourinho in his battle for spending money in the current transfer window.
Mourinho has not hidden his frustration over the lack of funds available to strengthen his injury-hit squad, which he claims is hampering his ability to make signings before the close of the window on Wednesday.
Chelsea may yet resurrect their interest in Bolton defender Ben Tal Haim, despite the rumours of Abramovich and Mourinho being at loggerheads over new signings.
The Portuguese coach wanted to money to buy a new defender and striker but Abramovich is believed to have told Mourinho to get more out of under-fire striker Andriy Shevchenko instead.
Top scorer Drogba wants Abramovich to provide the financial clout to draft in reinforcements and bolster the Barclays Premiership champions’ title bid during the final few months of the season.
Drogba said: “Let’s get one thing clear, when Mourinho says we need new players to help us achieve our ambitions, he is talking on behalf of the whole group. All the players here feel the same way as Jose.”
Chelsea could be boosted by the return of England captain John Terry for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Nottingham Forest.
The Blues’ talismanic defender was included in Mourinho’s first-team side in a training-ground game against the reserves yesterday – sparking speculation he will be included in the line-up for the first time since undergoing back surgery last month.
England defender Ashley Cole believes the return of his club and international skipper will be a massive boost to the side.
Cole said: “It will be good if he’s involved. Everybody knows how much we’ve missed him.
“He’s a great leader and captain of the club. When he’s in, his presence is felt by all the lads. We’ve missed him and we’ve conceded silly goals where, if he had been there, we would have dealt with it better.
“It’s good to have him back and hopefully we can start our season from here.”
Cole also expects Terry to put pen to paper on a lucrative new Chelsea contract in the near future.
The deal on the table is reported to be worth around £150,000 (€227,700)-a-week and Cole insists he deserves every penny.
“He’s a Blue through and through,” Cole said.
“The players won’t get around him and put any pressure on him – it’s his choice and his career.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if, in the next few weeks or days, he’ll be signing a new contract.
“He’s been here for a long time. He’s like the walls here. The contract is a great reward for him being a great captain and great player.”
