Shanghai Shenhua striker Didier Drogba insists he is happy at the Chinese club, and may even look to stay at the club beyond his initial two-and-a-half year contract, according to The Telegraph.
Drogba joined Shanghai Shenhua after eight years at Chelsea. However, the 34-year-old has been unsettled in China amidst problems at the club. Firstly, former Fulham manager Jean Tigana was removed from the hot-seat following a poor run of results and a disagreement with the board and this was compounded with the Shenhua board falling out with each other as the Chairman, Zhu Jun, who owns 28.5% of the club, has threatened to stop funding it.
The striker admits that at times this season, he has struggled to adjust to life at Shenhua, “It’s difficult at the moment, but I know there’s hope and I believe.”
As a result of the problems at the Chinese outfit, there was speculation that Drogba would be ready for an impromptu move back to Premier League, with Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly looking to lure the striker back to England in order to bolster their attacking options.
However, the Ivorian international, who has scored five goals in seven games for his new side, insists that whilst life has been difficult since leaving Chelsea, he is happy to remain in China, “I’m really happy here. I miss the Premier League because it is the best league in the world, but really I don’t regret my choice.” Drogba added, “I just arrived like two months ago so I’m really happy. I am, I’m really happy here so I have no reason to leave. I don’t want to leave here.”
Drogba was instrumental in helping Chelsea become the first London club to win a European trophy. He says that night in Munich will live long in the memory, “To be able to win in that kind of game was perfect and it’s something you [speaking about himself] will never forget.”
The Chelsea legend, who also won two Premier League titles at the club, hopes to emulate the success he had in England with Shenhua, “I want to stay here, as long as I can and win some trophies with my team and make our fans very happy.”
Drogba will have to wait before he can win his first piece of silverware with his new club as Shanghai Shenhua currently lie a disappointing ninth in the Chinese Super League following an inconsistent run of form.