Win that world title for me, Didier Drogba begs his old friends

 
p80 19, May 2012. Champions League Final, Chelsea v Bayern Munich Picture; Kevin Quigley/Solo Syndication Chelsea win Champions League
Simon Johnson14 December 2012

Didier Drogba has backed Chelsea to win major honours and is anxious they set the ball rolling by claiming the Fifa Club World Cup on Sunday.

The Ivory Coast striker has been watching his old club closely since joining Shanghai Shenhua as a free agent in the summer and, following the end of the Chinese season, has been training with Chelsea to maintain his fitness ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in the new year.

Although life without Drogba started well for the Blues, they hit a slump which resulted in coach Roberto di Matteo being sacked. Interim boss Rafael Benitez saw his new side claim their third win in a row yesterday as a 3-1 victory over Monterrey booked their place in Sunday’s final against Brazilian side Corinthians.

Drogba experienced his fair share of ups and downs during his eight years in west London but with experienced quartet John Terry, Frank Lampard, Petr Cech and Branislav Ivanovic still at the club, the 34-year-old is convinced Chelsea will be a major force this term under the former Liverpool coach.

He said: “It’s a new team, a new project so they need time. They played fantastically in the beginning of the season and now there are some problems but even we had some problems [when I was there].

“We have some new boys here. I know Eden Hazard — I told him many times to come and sign so I’m happy to see him here. But this is where you start to see the strength of this team.

“This is where the mental aspect is very important. I know they have qualities but the mental side is very important and players and leaders like John, Frank, Petr and Ivanovic are here to give them this.”

Drogba believes Chelsea have a responsibility as Champions League winners to be crowned World Club champions as well and has urged them to win the trophy for him.

“It would be important for them to win it,” said Drogba, who scored the equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League Final and the

decisive penalty in the shootout. “We have to go for it.

“It’s a big trophy for the club and also means a lot for us, for what we did in the Champions League. Even though I am not there, it still means a lot so please guys win it for me.”

Benitez is facing a tough task to win the fans over, who still bear a grudge from his time as Liverpool coach between 2004-10.

Chelsea won and lost some key games during Benitez’s reign at Anfield and he is accused of making some derogatory remarks about the Blues at the time.

But Drogba, who was angered by Benitez’s comments about him diving before a Champions League semi-final in 2008, rates him highly.

Reflecting on those encounters with Benitez’s Liverpool, he added: “They were always big games. I don’t remember a game where it finished with a difference of three goals, it was always tight. It meant there were two great managers facing each other.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea defender David Luiz says he will fulfil a childhood dream if he lifts the Club World Cup.

The trophy is much more revered in South America than in Europe and the Brazil defender also grew up supporting Sunday’s opponents Corinthians.

He said: “It’s amazing for me. If we win the final, it’s the best moment for me. It’s a massive competition in South America. I have always dreamed about doing it, now I have a chance to do it.

“It was a good win against Monterrey but now we have a great match in the final so we need to rest and focus because we’re facing a great team, with a great philosophy to play football.”

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