Ivory Coasts’ talismanic striker Didier Drogba says he was fed up with Premiership football and was ready to ditch it for football on the mainland European continent.

The 28-year-old Chelsea star told the Sun that he was fed up with the constant criticism of his alleged diving in matches, though, he himself admitted to deliberate handball in a 2-0 victory over Manchester City last campaign.

“I want to move on and avoid all the pressure and scandals. Those things hurt my feelings,” said Drogba, who signed for 24million pounds from Marseille in the summer of 2004.

“Anywhere I go, the Champions League will be there waiting for me,” added Drogba, who has scored 82 goals in 177 games for Chelsea.

Drogba, who despite a long period out with injury last season for Chelsea still ended the campaign with 16 goals, has attracted the wrong type of headlines after admitting to his handball in scoring against City.

“Yes, it was handball, but that’s part of the game,” he said.

“If City had done it, no-one would have mentioned it. But everyone is out to make a big mess about Chelsea.”

Drogba is set to lead the line for the Ivory Coast in the World Cup finals in June.

Source:Soccer Worldcup