Didier Drogba Suffers From Malaria
Fortunately, the Ivorian striker is expected to play on Wednesday against Fulham
Terrible news hit Western London these days. Chelsea’s star Didier Drogba has contacted malaria, according to the Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian boss said that the 32-year-old has been tested with the disease last days, thing which explains now the bad fitness he’s been through during the recent trainings. Ancelotti added in the same time that Drogba lost his power, finding very difficult to keep up with his team-mates in the training. Finally, Chelsea coach is expected to use the goal-man in Wednesday’s London derby against Fulham in Premiership.
On the other hand, the Italian manager pointed that he was told by the medical team that Drogba is under medication, one which will eradicate the disease within 48 hours. Said Ancelotti: “The medical team tells me that the medication Didier is taking will completely eradicate the malaria in approximately 48 hours and after that he will be fine.” They also don’t know when the disease has been contacted, Ancelotti believing that ‘it could have been recently or from some time ago’. The Ivorian scored six goals so far in the Premiership, one less than Florent Malouda, his team-mate leading the top-scorer table with seven goals, the same number Manchester City Carlos Tevez has. Chelsea comes after a tough Sunday game when the West-Londoners lost to their main rivals Liverpool 2-0 at Anflied, defeat which maintains Chelsea leader in the Premier League, but now with just two points ahead of Manchester Untied.
By the time Drogba is treating the disease, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard are expected to make the return after injury, respectively hernia surgery. Chelsea co-captain will play his first match after two months, but he will likely enter in Sunday’s game against Sunderland, not against Fulham. “Lampard has been training with us and he is good. He is able to play; he is fit because he worked very hard physically,” said Carlo Ancelotti. Drogba joined Chelsea in 2004 after departing from Marseille. Ever since, the Ivorian made history for the West-Londoners, helping the Blues reach superior phases in Champions League, but also be part of the best top-scorers in Premier League. He scored 90 goals so far in 176 appearances.
He also helped Chelsea claim both the FA Cup and league title last year for the first time in Blues’ history to finish the season top of the top-scorer standings. The defending champions are now 25 points in the Premiership, two more than United who took advantage of Liverpool’s win against Ancelotti’s side, but also of Park’s late goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Ferguson’s side beat Wolves 2-1 in dramatic end at Old Trafford this weekend. Finally, Chelsea are also top of the group F in UCL, Terry & Co. leading with 12 points won in four games. Spartak Moscow are second and Olympique Marseille third, but both sides with the same number of points, six. Slovakians MSK Zilina are foot of the table with zero points. Next, Chelsea hosts Zilina on November 23.11
