Thursday 23 October 2014 12:46, UK
Didier Drogba admits he is still getting up to speed in a second spell at Chelsea, but has declared himself 'ready' to face Manchester United on Sunday.
The Ivorian striker returned to Stamford Bridge over the summer as a free agent, two years after bringing a previous eight-year stint to a close.
Now 36 years of age, Drogba is no longer the leading man he was when Jose Mourinho first brought him to west London in 2004.
He still has plenty to offer, though, and netted his first Chelsea goal in 885 days during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League mauling of Maribor.
Drogba acknowledges that he is yet to reach peak match sharpness but, with fellow forwards Loic Remy and Diego Costa nursing knocks, a man who has netted vital goals in crunch clashes with United in the past, says he would welcome the opportunity to spearhead Chelsea’s attack at Old Trafford this weekend.
He said: “I still need time because I didn’t play for two or three months before coming back. Then I had an injury that kept me out for a while so I need more games. But I’m training hard to get back to full fitness.
“It is a long time since my last Chelsea goal. When I took the penalty on Tuesday I was smiling because that’s the way I left the club.
“To start scoring with a penalty again is quite symbolic. And I put it in the same place as I did in Munich (in the 2012 Champions League final).
“I’m a striker and, even if I am making assists and making space for others, it is good to score.
“It’s up to the manager to decide who is going to start on Sunday but, if you were a player, how would you feel if they said you can play at Old Trafford? You would be happy. I’m ready.
This club is special because, from our first season together in 2004, we had to win. We had big expectations from the start. That’s the legacy. You have to win at this club.
“I remember that game against United in 2010. Both goals were fantastic. It was a very good feeling to win there. We had the feeling we’d won the league, even if there were more games to go.”
Drogba added on a reunion with United, who are now under the guidance of Louis van Gaal: “United are a threat. We need to go there with strength and our belief, but we have to know that they are a good team.
“This Chelsea team is good. We will always be at this level because of what the players before have created – that habit of winning trophies, winning big games and being in semi-finals and finals. That is a good habit. Even when we stop, Chelsea will continue that, because it is a kind of legacy.
“Maybe United will need time to catch us. That’s why I say this club is special because, from our first season together in 2004, we had to win. We had big expectations from the start. That’s the legacy. You have to win at this club.
“This Chelsea have different qualities.
“They are still as strong and as good as previous teams but I don’t believe there are no weaknesses. Every team has weaknesses. We are working to reduce them.”
Watch Manchester United v Chelsea live on Sky Sports 1 on Sunday at 4pm
