After being dropped from the recent international matches, there has been a lot of speculation about the future of Didier Drogba at the international level. The 34-year-old striker is coming to the end of his stellar career and it has been rumoured that he may be switching his focus to club football. Further, the Ivory Coast national team has been unable to get any kind of success even with Drogba under its belt. After the failure at the recent African cup of nations, it was widely rumoured that it may be the last major tournament for Drogba at international level.
The rumours were confirmed when Ivory Coast manager Sabri Lamouchi dropped him from the first team over the last few important matches. However, he has now said that Drogba remains an integral part of the first team and he was dropped only due to lack of fitness. Drogba has been playing for the Turkish club Galatasaray after ending his Chinese adventure after just a few months. He is playing in the Champions League, which will also boost the chances of returning to the national team. Drogba managed to win the league title with Galatasaray in his first season in Turkish football.
The 35-year-old last played for his country back in February, while he has missed out on crucial World Cup qualifying matches.
“I don’t have a problem with him. Quite the contrary. Of course he’s someone on whom I count, he knows that. I would be mad not to take advantage of the player and man he is. I knew the player, but the man is a gentleman and a great professional. He brings a lot to the national team, to the country and Africa in general. We’ll see him again in a national team shirt, no problem,” said Lamouchi.