Didier Drogba is adamant he and Chelsea team-mate 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 in the Barclays Premier League, Drogba hurting his knee and Terry dislocating his elbow.


But the Ivory Coast striker is sure they will be fit to face United in the Russian capital next Wednesday as the Blues go in search of their first Champions League crown.

"I took a blow to my knee that was operated on (back in December), and it hurt at the time," he told French daily L'Equipe.

"I put ice on it immediately. But there is nothing serious. I will be at training this week."

On the fitness of Chelsea captain Terry, who was taken to hospital after colliding with his own goalkeeper, Petr Cech, Drogba added: "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 men secured the defence of their crown with a 2-0 win at Wigan.


United will head to Moscow 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 (which Chelsea won 1-0 thanks to Drogba's goal in the second half of extra time).


"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 plenty of speculation about Drogba's future at Chelsea - he was recently linked with a move to Inter Milan - but he insists the Champions League final is the only thing dominating his thoughts.


"At the moment, the only thing I have in my mind is the final in Moscow," he said.


"What will happen in June or July? I still don't know anything."


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 added.


"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."



Sporting Life / Eurosport

The first-round ties will be played on Sept 12/13.

Chelsea threw this one away against a spirited Middlesboro side. The Blues should have wrapped this one up before resting on their laurels and lost a valuable three points


Middlesboro started lively but by half time Chelsea looked in total control of this game - after Shevchenko scored his debut premiership goal in the 16th minute after another brilliant move down the left from Wayne Bridge (his second good game in a row for Chelsea). Chelsea sprayed the ball around and played with the swagger of champions and had should have put the game beyond the reach of Boro in that time.


Unfortunately a different team emerged after the break (same eleven players though). We just did not compete with the same energy or passion in the second half and despite having a good goal disallowed and hitting the post allowed the Teesiders more into the game as it went along and two poor defensive moments cost us the three points - the first goal was a free header and the second goal four Chelsea defenders all capitulated together allowing the injury time goal - it is no wonder Mourhino is livid with the performance.

Barcelona again - the biggest rivalry in Europe is continued. The draw was not kind with Werder Bremen certainly no pushovers - any two from three with Levski Sofia propping up the rest. Man Utd & Liverpool will be delighted with their easy groups - although Arsenal will be stretched a lot further than last year with some tough opponents.


Matchday 1 - Tuesday Sept 12th: Chelsea v Werder Bremen


Matchday 2 - Wednesday Sept 27nd: Levski Sofia v Chelsea


Matchday 3 - Wednesday Oct 18th: Chelsea v Barcelona


Matchday 4 - Tuesday Oct 31st: Barcelona v Chelsea


Matchday 5 - Wednesday Nov 22nd: Werder Bremen v Chelsea


Matchday 6 - Tuesday Dec 5th: Chelsea v Levski Sofia


Also hot press - Chelsea and Adidas have unveiled their new Euro Champions League Kit. Click here to see it.

Blues' Clues

Blackburn away at the weekend has produced two close games over the past two years - with a 1-0 victory two years ago - when the Butchers of Black Pudding hacked at everything and caused Robben to miss a large chunk of the rest of the season. Last year Blackburn were victorious 1-0 against a Chelsea second eleven - the wednesday after Chelsea had wrapped up the Premiership. This season will be close again 1-0 to Chelsea who will be playing with a differnet staring 11 to the one that threw away the game on wednesday.


So after great results with Arsenal and Liverpool both dropping points at the weekend - we've gone and done it too. Hopefully we can get back on the winning streak again this weekend.


Related Article: Blues Clues