[goldenHuddlestone]

Didier Drogba is determined to fire Chelsea to glory in the Carling Cup and help himself to the coveted Golden Boot at the end of the season.

Drogbas inspirational form, which has seen him smash 25 goals so far this season, has already helped him to beat the boo-boys who almost drove him out of England.

The former Marseille man was forced to reconsider his entire future in the Barclays Premiership when he was accused of using his hand to score against Manchester City as well as being a labelled diver last season.

Drogba now wants to help Chelsea to an unprecedented four trophies this term and also has his eye on the award for finishing Europes top scorer.

The Carling Cup final against Arsenal will provide the Ivory Coast international with another glorious occasion to demonstrate the goalscoring prowess that has made him one of the most feared forwards in the game.

The controversy that dogged him last season has disappeared and it is his striking exploits that are now gaining him plaudits he fully deserves.

Drogbas 77th-minute winner in his countrys 1-0 friendly success over Guinea last week was his 17th for Ivory Coast as a Chelsea player, making him the clubs all-time international top scorer, moving clear of the 16 scored by England legend Jimmy Greaves while at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba said: "Of course I can win the Golden Boot. But as much as Id love to be the top scorer, it would mean nothing if Chelsea dont win the league. Id like to win the Premiership and the Golden Boot. Ive scored some great goals this year. If I had to pick my best, Id say it was the one at Everton. It was a dramatic last-minute goal and a very important one because we came from behind to win."

It is a long way from the days when he was branded one of the biggest cheats in the game - even if he did not always understand the reasons why.

Drogba said: "I can understand if they are unhappy when I dont play well. Wherever I play, I always give everything for my team, and I always have a lot of respect for my shirt and my club. I handled the ball [against City] but this is part of the game. I try to score and, if the referee sees the handball, there is a restart."

Now though he is the talk of west London and desperate to bring more glory to the club and coach Jose Mourinho, whose own future is the subject of continual speculation.

But, while rumours persist Mourinho will quit Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, Drogba is staying put. He signed a new contract earlier this season, which ties the striker to Chelsea for a further three years.

Drogba said: "I regard the new contract with Chelsea as reward for hard work - but I also want to repay the club for keeping the faith. We want to win all four trophies this season and we believe we have the ability to do it. At the moment, we are taking things as they come and that is working for us. But weve dominated English football for the last few years and now we want to set new records. At 28, I am definitely thinking of ending my career at Chelsea - if thats what the fans want to hear. But I will play the game until I can no longer push myself. At one time, I did think about leaving the club because of many reasons. But I think Ive come to stay in England and I hope that will end all the confusion of the past. As a professional, Ive always put my own needs and goals above anything else. But I decided to stay at Chelsea because of the encouragement Ive received from our manager."

He added: "I am not playing well just because I wanted to sign a new contract. I am playing well because I feel good and I am happy to train with my friends. I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me since the beginning and now we will be together for a long time. This is the best form of my career. I am happy because, when I came here, it wasnt easy for me to say I would be signing a new contract with Chelsea because everybody knows the first year was difficult. The second one was okay, but I knew I could do better."

[gmanr26]

not if my man Cristiano has anything to say about it////

[Stiles]

Originally Posted by gmanr26

not if my man Cristiano has anything to say about it////

I knew Ronaldo was of that sexual orientation but i had no idea you was Gman.

[goldenHuddlestone]

I doubt whetehr any midfielder (even one as good as Ronaldo) could get the better of a striker (especially one as good as Drogba) in the goal scoring stakes

[gman93]

i say drogbas won it