Champions League
Drogba targets two more years
2011-12-07 17:15
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London - Didier Drogba believes he has at least another two years left in him at the top after his effervescent showing, crowned with two goals, fired Chelsea into the Champions League knockout-stages after Tuesday's 3-0 pasting of Valencia.
Andre Villas-Boas's side knew a defeat or score-draw would put Valencia through at their expense, but with Drogba in unstoppable form - as in last Saturday's league win at Newcastle - the Blues not only qualified but won their group.
And Drogba insists that with four goals in four games he is far from finished yet as he looks for a two-year deal buoyed by form which has established him as first choice striker ahead of Fernando Torres while fellow veteran Nicolas Anelka is already likely to leave in the January transfer window.
Drogba is now 33 and his current deal expires in June, meaning he could walk away as early as next month if Chelsea do not add a year to the 12-month extension on the table.
But the striker says he is making up for lost time having only turned professional at 21 and he plans to make the most of the twilight of his career.
"I started late at a high level. I was 25 when I started to play my first Champions League games.
"I feel happy, I feel good on the pitch, I'm really enjoying myself, my football."
But after the Valencia win he would not be drawn on where his future lies.
"My future, really, is not very important. When the time will come, we'll speak about it. But, at the moment, we don't need to."
Winger Juan Mata, who set up both of Drogba's goals against his old club, is a big fan, and while he accepts the contract talks are down to the club hierarchy the Spaniard stressed: "Didier is a super striker. He is strong and fast, scores goals and makes assists.
"He is very important for us and, against Valencia, he showed it."
Recent injury problems ensured Drogba made a slow start to the campaign and the club's recent streak of poor form piled the pressure on young new Portuguese coach Andre Villas-Boas.
"But now I'm having a little bit more games so I hope it's going to come back quickly," said Drogba.