22nd May, 2012
Didier Drogba broke down in tears as he told stunned teammates: “I’m off.”
The Sun reports that the big hitman insists it broke his heart to finally admit his eight-year stay at Chelsea was over.
Drogba started to cry when he informed John Terry, Frank Lampard and the rest: “We will no longer be together next season.”
He made the shock announcment at the Blues victory parade, 24 hours after helping them to Champions League glory.
The 34-year-old is expected to link up with former team-mate, Nicolas Anelka, at Shanghai in China in a £200,000-a-week deal.
But the move was thrown into doubt last night when it emerged that coach Anelka is involved in a row with Shanghai’s owners.
Drogba said: “Even though it’s been three years since I said that I wanted to leave, I find it hard to admit that it’s over with this club, especially since I did not want this end.”
Drogba told France Football magazine: “I could not see myself sitting on the bench watching others play when the club plans to set up a new team.
“I’m not relieved, I am especially sad to leave such good guys. I prepare for my leap into the void, into the unknown.”
The Ivorien claims he could never play for another Premier League side.
He added: “If I must leave, it will be for an adventure that’s totally different from the big leagues.
“First, because there is no question I would play for anyone else in England other than Chelsea and also, because I don’t know what I could get in Spain, Italy or Germany that I don’t already know.
Meanwhile, Drogba’s unnamed agent denied the player’s planned departure from Stamford Bridge this afternoon.