Didier Drogba admits he has kept in touch with Jose Mourinho since the former Chelsea manager’s departure from Stamford Bridge.
Drogba was visibly upset when Mourinho said farewell to the players last month, and he is determined to maintain his relationship with the man who signed him from Marseille.
Drogba told BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat: “How could I not be emotional when he brought me to England, to the best league in the world?
“He was always behind me and protecting me. If I had a good season last year, it was because he was behind me and the team was behind me.
“I’m still in touch with him, the relationship is good. It’s important to keep in touch with people you worked with for four years.
“If you are not happy to be somewhere, it is difficult to give 100 percent.
“Now I’m giving 100 percent because I feel good. I love the fans. I think they show me the respect I deserve and this is very important.”
Drogba believes Chelsea can still win the league despite lying eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
“Being eight points behind is a situation we are not used to,” Drogba said.
“Now what is good is that there are a lot of teams who are competing to be champions, more than two or three years ago. Maybe this will help us.
“It was very painful to lose the league last year – when you get used to something, it’s difficult to lose it.”
