Drogba reveals bond with Mourinho

LONDON – Didier Drogba admits he has kept in touch with Jose Mourinho since the former Chelsea manager’s emotional departure from Stamford Bridge.

Drogba was in tears when Mourinho said his farewells to the players last month, but he is determined to keep a strong relationship with the man who brought him to the Premier League. The Ivory Coast striker last week revealed he wanted to leave Chelsea because since Mourinho’s exit “something has broken” at the London club.He has since said he regretted those comments but there is no mistaking his bond with Mourinho.Drogba, who scored his third goal of the season in Saturday’s win over Middlesbrough, told BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat: “How could I not be emotional when he brought me to England, to the best league in the world? “He was always behind me and protecting me.If I had a good season last year, it was because he was behind me and the team was behind me.”I’m still in touch with him, the relationship is good.It’s important to keep in touch with people you worked with for four years.”If you are not happy to be somewhere, it is difficult to give 100 per cent.”Now I’m giving 100 per cent because I feel good.I love the fans.I think they show me the respect I deserve and this is very important.”The former Marseille star believes Chelsea can still win the league despite sitting eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.”Being eight points behind is a situation we are not used to,” Drogba said.”Now what is good is that there are a lot of teams who are competing to be champions, more than two or three years ago.Maybe this will help us.”It was very painful to lose the league last year – when you get used to something, it’s difficult to lose it.”Nampa-ReutersThe Ivory Coast striker last week revealed he wanted to leave Chelsea because since Mourinho’s exit “something has broken” at the London club.He has since said he regretted those comments but there is no mistaking his bond with Mourinho.Drogba, who scored his third goal of the season in Saturday’s win over Middlesbrough, told BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat: “How could I not be emotional when he brought me to England, to the best league in the world? “He was always behind me and protecting me.If I had a good season last year, it was because he was behind me and the team was behind me.”I’m still in touch with him, the relationship is good.It’s important to keep in touch with people you worked with for four years.”If you are not happy to be somewhere, it is difficult to give 100 per cent.”Now I’m giving 100 per cent because I feel good.I love the fans.I think they show me the respect I deserve and this is very important.”The former Marseille star believes Chelsea can still win the league despite sitting eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.”Being eight points behind is a situation we are not used to,” Drogba said.”Now what is good is that there are a lot of teams who are competing to be champions, more than two or three years ago.Maybe this will help us.”It was very painful to lose the league last year – when you get used to something, it’s difficult to lose it.”Nampa-Reuters