Chelsea's Didier Drogba - file

london, (reuters)

Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba has said he wants to quit Chelsea three years after joining the Premier League club and move to Spain or Italy.

"I want to leave Chelsea. Something is broken with the club," Drogba was quoted as telling France Football magazine due to be published today.

However, the west London club were quick to dismiss the idea of a possible transfer.

"Didier Drogba signed a new four-year contract last year. As a top professional we are sure Didier is committed to Chelsea and intends to honour that contract," the club said on their web- site (www.chelseafc.com).

The 29-year-old, who has scored 43 Premier League goals for Chelsea, was one of the players most affected by Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho's departure last month.

The coach, who led Chelsea to back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006, along with two League Cups and the FA Cup, has been replaced by Israel's Avram Grant.

"I can't hide the fact that I've taken this whole business very badly, probably because I made the mistake of allowing too much of an emotional attachment in my relations with the coach," Drogba said.

He added: "I can only say that I have been unpleasantly surprised by some people."

Drogba also indicated Chelsea had not been his club of choice after leaving Olympique Marseille in 2004 and that he had long considered a move from Stamford Bridge — despite the team's success.

"Ever since I arrived, I've been mulling a lot of things over, because I hadn't chosen my destination. My relations with Chelsea have always been bizarre.

BEST YEARS

"Right from the very first day, I wanted to leave. And every summer after that. But, despite that, I've stayed here for four seasons — the best of my career."

Drogba, whose latter comment indicated he would stay until the end of this season, added he would like to play either in Italy's Serie A or Spain's Primera Liga.

"I've got the impression that I have nothing else to prove here. I need to go and look somewhere else. I need new challenges and these two countries really attract me.

"I have made my decision. Nothing will hold me here. I know people are saying that Ronaldinho and Kaka will be here next season but it will not change my desire (to leave).

"I will not change my mind, probably because something has broken (in my relations) with Chelsea."

Drogba said only five clubs attracted him: "AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid. And Marseille."

Mourinho spent 24 million pounds ($49.06 million) when he bought Drogba from Marseille in July 2004.

The striker took a while to settle before finding his form with a vengeance last season, scoring 33 goals for Chelsea.

Drogba became the team's attacking talisman as they achieved an FA Cup-League Cup double in 2007.

He scored in the 1-0 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley and was on target twice in the 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the League Cup final in Cardiff.

Drogba has been linked in Spanish media reports with a move to Real Madrid in recent weeks.