Drogba: The dressing room has suffered

Drogba: The dressing room has suffered


Didier Drogba has admitted the Chelsea dressing room has been an "unhappy" place during their recent slump in form, and revealed his own performances have been hampered by his battles with injury and malaria.

Both the Blues and their Ivorian striker have been some way short of their best since a promising start to the season, with Carlo Ancelotti's team recording just one win in nine and the 32-year-old contributing only eight goals in all competitions. His fitness problems have been well documented, not least the bout of malaria which was diagnosed in November.

Drogba told The Sun: "Injuries and the malaria have damaged my performances. I am still not 100 per cent, but I am fighting in each match to improve my playing levels and help the team.
Chelsea are not accustomed to defeats and the dressing room has suffered. But the season is long and it is normal to suffer lots of changes.
Didier Drogba

"This season has been complicated for me by physical problems. It has not been easy to regain my strength but we need the points and my presence is necessary. I have always sacrificed for the team, and Chelsea need me."

As for the London outfit's struggles, during which they have slipped from pacesetters to outside the UEFA Champions League spots, Drogba said: "Chelsea's current position compared to last season is actually very similar, but maybe our injuries and less goals have brought about a negative mood.

"In the last weeks Carlo Ancelotti has been unhappy - and the squad too. Chelsea are not accustomed to defeats and the dressing room has suffered. But the season is long and it is normal to suffer lots of changes."