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Didier Drogba is adamant he and John Terry will be fit for next week's Champions League final against Manchester United in Moscow but refused to confirm he will be at the club next season.
Both players sustained injuries in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday, with Drogba hurting his knee and Terry dislocating his elbow, but the Ivory Coast striker is sure they will be fit to face United on Wednesday of next week.
"I took a blow to my knee that was operated on [back in December], and it hurt at the time," Drogba said. "I put ice on it immediately. But there is nothing serious. I will be at training this week."
On the fitness of his captain, who was taken to hospital after colliding with Petr Cech, Drogba said: "I have spoken to him, he will play in Moscow. No-one wants to miss this gigantic match, the match of our careers. That's the case for me anyway."
Chelsea lost out to United at the weekend in the race for the Premier League title as Sir Alex Ferguson's side won 2-0 at Wigan Athletic. United will head to Russia looking to complete the double, but Drogba said: "This Champions League match is different. It will play itself out over 90 or 120 minutes, like in the FA Cup final last year.
"We know that we can beat United, we proved it again in the league a fortnight ago. But they deserved their title and were rewarded for their consistency. We made too many mistakes."
There has been speculation about Drogba's future at Chelsea - he was recently linked with a move to Inter Milan - but he insists the final is dominating his thoughts. "What will happen in June or July? I still don't know anything," he said.
Drogba admitted earlier this season he found it hard leaving Marseille for Chelsea in July 2004, and was reported as saying he wanted to leave the London club. He maintains his relationship with supporters in England has improved but admits he has found it difficult to settle. "I didn't want to leave Marseille," he said. "I had trouble getting used to Chelsea and I wanted to leave at the end of every season. Not because people were not treating me well, rather because of personal reasons.
"I have started everything again from zero in England. I had to replace a great striker in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was a favourite at the club. It wasn't easy but my relationship with the English supporters has evolved.
"There was at first a dissension between us but I then understood what they expected of me. Now the rapport I have with them is like what I had with the fans at Marseille."
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true Manchester United may be playing the best of football. But I think Chelsea will come out on top because they are very very hungry win a Championship. They would really look bad if Man U won both. Plus I think Drogba wants to go out with a bang!
Go Blues!
Faheem, Atlanta, USA
i think man united will win the final next week aganit chelsea in moscow by 2 goals to 1 reason been that the red devils are really the best team in europe for now and their have the best player at monement in the world.Aside that sir alex is a very techncial man thier grant.
felix philips, Lagos, Nigeria