A slam-dunk case for Didier Drogba

The super rich owner of Shanghai Shenhua splashes the cash for former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba. But will imported talent be enough to keep Chinese soccer fans in their seats?

Chelsea's mid-winter mini-crisis could be aggravated by the loss of Didier Drogba after the talismanic striker injured his back in training on Tuesday.Manager Carlo Ancelotti revealed that Drogba is doubtful for Wednesday's Premier League match with bottom club Portsmouth, in which Chelsea will be looking for their first win in five matches in all competitions.Ancelotti claimed to be unconcerned about Chelsea's recent run of three defeats and a draw.

Didier Drogba announced his return to European football with a brace as Chelsea qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League with a 2-2 Group D draw at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.Drogba, back after a three-match suspension, scored twice in the final ten minutes to put Chelsea in front only for second half substitute Sergio "Kun" Aguero to score his second with a 90th minute equaliser.Chelsea knew a win would see them through to the next phase but in the end a draw was enough due to FC Porto's 1-0 win at APOEL in Tuesday's other group match.

Hours after being mobbed by hundreds of cheering fans at the airport upon his arrival, former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba made his official debut with new team Shanghai Shenhua Saturday afternoon and insisted his move was motivated by challenges of helping Chinese football.

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba confirmed his switched to China's Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, a move which will reunite him with former Chelsea teammate Nicolas Anelka.

Carlo Ancelotti is ready to revive his plans to pair Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres in a bid to maintain Chelsea's bid to push the title race into the final day.The Blues manager had abandoned his efforts to link £50 million record signing Torres with Drogba after Chelsea were eliminated from the Champions league by Manchester United.

Chelsea missed the chance to go top in the English Premier League after Didier Drogba saw a late penalty saved in a 1-1 draw away to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Sunday.Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, who'd let substitute Drogba's shot go through his hands for Chelsea's 70th minute equaliser, brought down Ramires in stoppage time.But the Brazilian then produced a fine save to deny Drogba, who took the spot-kick even though fellow substitute and regular penalty-taker Frank Lampard was on the field.

Didier Drogba reckons his diving antics are all part of the entertainment, says Stoke City's Salif Diao, who will be keeping a close eye on the Chelsea striker in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final.Drogba will be looking to fire English Premier League title-chasers Chelsea into a Wembley semi-final when they take on mid-table visitors Stoke at Stamford Bridge.Diao, who stands in the Ivory Coast hitman's way, said he was well aware of Drogba's reputation - having been a close friend for a decade since their days playing in France.