Football: Drogba criticises Scolari methods

Page last updated at 10:11 GMT, Friday, 20 February 2009

Drogba criticises Scolari methods

Drogba (left) scored just one goal in 13 appearances under Scolari Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has hit out at his treatment by former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari. Drogba claimed the Brazilian tried to split the dressing room at Stamford Bridge by blaming particular players for the club's poor results. "When Scolari started blaming individuals, then that was bad," Drogba told The Sun. "To name one player as to blame for what happened in a squad of 24 players is wrong." Drogba was dropped from the Chelsea squad by Scolari after his side lost 3-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford but the Ivory Coast captain insists he was not solely to blame for the team's loss of form. The Blues are 10 points behind leaders United and three behind second-placed Liverpool, who beat them 2-0 at Anfield on 1 February. There had been suggestions that some players were not happy with Scolari's management style following his dismissal, and skipper John Terry hinted that the dressing-room was divided. Chelsea's assistant manager Ray Wilkins denied reports there was a split, but Drogba believes Scolari's methods affected morale. "How can one player be responsible for not winning for so many weeks and losing points?" Drogba added. "This is not an individual sport. When you win games, everyone is happy and enjoys it together. But when we lose we have to lose together, too. "If it makes it easier for some people to make me the scapegoat, then fine. All of us were below form against Manchester United, and, sometimes, maybe the coach chooses to make an example of one player. For that game I was the player blamed." Despite Drogba's admission that he did not always see eye-to-eye with Scolari, the forward denied he was involved in any 'player power' to force the manager out. "If I had as much power with the owner (Roman Abramovich) as has been said, then Mourinho would still be here, no? "I have respect for Scolari as a man and a coach but I was not involved in any discussions with the owner." And Drogba, who has been linked with a move to join Mourinho at Inter as well as a return to former club Marseille, suggested he would be willing to sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge. I would stay if they offered me a new deal. I know that first I need to show I am still the player this club knows. Didier Drogba "I am happy with everyone here and want to be a Chelsea player," he added. "I want people to stop talking about me going back to Marseille or going to Inter Milan. I want to stay until the end of my contract. I love the fans. "My family love it here and we want to stay. There have been no talks about extending my deal but there is time for that. "I would stay if they offered me a new deal. I know that first I need to show I am still the Didier Drogba this club knows." Chelsea's new manager, Dutchman Guus Hiddink, has impressed Drogba since taking over at the club. "Hiddink is working very hard with us and he is just what Chelsea need right now," said Drogba. "I think with this coach there are a lot of good things to come. "He will bring the tactical knowledge and we must fight for a better position, and I think we can."