Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba said that spending time in London during the Major League Soccer offseason will not mean another playing return to Chelsea.
The 37-year-old striker ended a second spell with the Stamford Bridge club last season before moving to the Montreal Impact in MLS.
"To train, why not? It's something we have to discuss with the club here, because I belong to them. I signed a 1 1/2-year contract, I always like to respect what I have signed," Drogba said on Friday. "I belong to the Montreal Impact. To stay in shape, why not? To play, I'm really not too hot on that idea. I need to rest well and to be ready for this league."
Drogba admitted he was hurt when the playoffs started, slowed down by the knock he took from Toronto FC's Ahmed Kantari on Decision Day. Montreal ended up in third place in the Eastern Conference and earned a knockout round win against arch-rival Toronto before bowing out in the Eastern Conference semifinals to Columbus Crew SC.
"The game against Toronto, I got cleats on my tendon," Drogba said. "It really bothered me towards the end. It's a shame. I think that, with a bit more freshness, things may have been different."
Drogba said he came into the MLS season with minimal training, but delivered anyway, scoring 12 goals and notching one assist in 14 regular season and playoff games.
"It was a difficult season for me physically -- I didn't get enough time to prepare, he said.
"You've understood that I'm someone that likes to set objectives and, most of all, I don't like to disappoint," Drogba said. "Coming here, I knew this would be a heck of a challenge. After winning the title in England, there were expectations. But people said that, at [37 years old], it was over already. As you can imagine, with what little honors I've won, I have no desire to look ridiculous on the football field.
"As I said when I got here, I came here to win -- not necessarily winning MLS [Cup], but seeing the kinds of emotions we saw in the last games. That is a win for the club, for the city. I'm happy with my season -- my four months -- despite my age. Coming here, I knew I was able to bring something more to the club."
Drogba is one of 11 Montreal players under contract for 2016.