Chelsea striker Didier Drogba thinks the fans that used to love to hate him have finally been won over. Last season's top scorer in the Premier League was criticised in his early years in England for a tendency to fall theatrically under a challenge.
"I think I am appreciated here now and I am really grateful to the fans in England," he said in The People.
"In my first season here I found it difficult to adapt and it was hard for fans to understand me.
"Now people think I am much better and I really love being here. The most important thing for me was to understand the culture of the game in this country.
"Now I have done that and I think I get a lot more respect from everybody in England."
Meanwhile, Drogba, 32, claims he would not be overly disappointed if he did not win the UEFA Champions League, which is Chelsea's priority trophy this season.
"It would not be a big drama for me if I finished my career without winning the Champions League," he said.
"I really want to pick up the trophy but nobody will question my ability or achievements if I don't do it."
