Drogba vows to leave 'broken' Chelsea as soon as possible

Didier Drogba has confirmed he will follow Jose Mourinho in leaving Chelsea. The striker claims the club have been "broken" by the manager's departure.

"My decision is taken," Drogba said. "Nothing could keep me here now. I know there's talk of Ronaldinho and Kaka coming here next season but that won't change my mind. I won't go back on this decision. No doubt because there's something broken with Chelsea."

Drogba was quick to blame Chelsea's owner, Roman Abramovich, for both Mourinho's exit and his own impending one. "We all feel that the shared story ended too quickly ... we are left with a feeling of incompleteness and impotence," said the 29-year-old. "Everything was halted at the whim of the president. We are mere employees. I don't hide the fact that I took the whole episode very badly. I can only say that I was unpleasantly surprised by some people."

Despite his comments, Chelsea feel sure the striker will stay. In an official statement the club said: "Didier Drogba signed a new four-year contract last year. As a top professional we are sure Didier is committed to Chelsea and intends to honour that contract." But in an interview with today's France Football magazine the Ivorian says he now plans to join a top club in either Italy or Spain and he names Milan, Inter, Barcelona and Real Madrid as the only four he would consider.

"I have to get a change of scenery. It took me some time to fall in love with Chelsea but now I believe it's time to move on to something else. I need a club with whom I'd be ready to break my leg to win. I want to get back to playing with butterflies in my stomach for a club who make me dream. For me, there aren't 50 clubs who could stimulate this sort of passion, just four: AC Milan, Inter, Barça and Real."

Drogba was said to be in tears after Mourinho told him he was leaving. Describing the manager's parting words Drogba said: "Then he said 'I wish good luck to you and your families and I thank you all. Even those who betrayed me'."

The striker's hurt has now developed into full-blown fury with the club's hierachy and Abramovich in particular. He told France Football that he had never felt fully comfortable at Chelsea. He said: "I've always had a bizarre relationship with Chelsea. On the very first day I wanted to leave. It was the same every summer too. But despite that I stayed for four seasons, the best of my career."

Guardian.co.uk