Drogba: Back for the Blues

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AVB looks to wounded Drog

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has backed striker Didier Drogba to prove the catalyst for a change of fortunes for the west London club.

The Ivory Coast international was in fine form for the Blues before he left to lead his countrymen in January in pursuit of African Cup of Nations glory.

But it was not to be for Cote d’Ivoire as Zambia edged the Elephants to lift African football’s most coveted trophy following a thrilling penalty shoot-out on Sunday.

Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge on Friday a dejected figure, but Villas-Boas is confident the 33-year-old will look to throw himself into the challenge of helping his club.

“I think so and ready to help the team,” the Portuguese tactician said when asked if Drogba can overcome his international disappointment.

“A player of his quality and so much involved with Chelsea in the past will always help.

“In the month of December, he had an extremely good impact. He is a major player for us.”

Villas-Boas added: “It is obviously a major disappointment for him. To what extent personally, I don’t know.

“I think there were great prospects for the Ivory Coast to get that trophy for their country.

“It was not possible with the lottery of penalties and, of course, a major disappointment for them for with the dimension of the players that they have.”