Drogba commits to Chelsea

The Ivorian is in red hot form at the moment and is currently one of Europe's hottest properties, but Chelsea's offer of a new deal is sure to ward off any potential suitors.

Drogba has scored five times for Chelsea in the Premiership so far this season, and most recently netted the equaliser in Tuesday's classic Champions League encounter with Barcelona - also his fifth in European competition this term.

The 28-year-old signed for the Stamford Bridge outfit from French Ligue 1 side Marseille in March 2004, and after a difficult period acclimatising to English football, he has since scored 42 times in a Chelsea shirt.

"I am not playing well just because I wanted to sign a new contract," Drogba told Chelsea TV.

"I am playing well because I feel good and I am happy to train with my friends.

"I want to say thank you to Jose for believing in me since the beginning and now we will be together for a long time. The best period of my career I think.

"I am happy because when I came here it wasn't easy for me to say I would be signing a new contract with Chelsea, because everybody knows the first year was difficult.

"The second one was okay but I knew I could do better."

He will make his 99th appearance for the Blues in Sunday's London derby with Tottenham.