The 30-year-old has kept his word, ending the almost daily bulletins of distress in the French press, but he has told friends that nothing has changed and he still wishes to leave.
After four years in England, Drogba is in search of a new challenge and is acutely aware that this summer may present his last opportunity to find one with a leading European club. AC Milan and Real Madrid expressed interest last summer and are likely to do so again, while wherever Jose Mourinho ends up will provide another possible destination as the Portuguese would love to be reunited with a player whom he signed for £24million from Marseilles in 2004.