Didier Drogba presented as Montreal Impact player as Ivorian says he spoke to Chelsea staff and Alessandro Nesta about move

Didier Drogba has been officially unveiled as a Montreal Impact signing and says he was urged by Chelsea players to make the move - as well as Alessandro Nesta.

The striker has enjoyed a stellar career in England, France, Turkey and China and he appeared to be taken aback by the welcome he received in Canada on Wednesday, before being presented to the media just a day later.

And Drogba, who hopes to make his MLS debut against New York Red Bulls next week, spoke to his former team-mates about his next venture and also the former Italy captain. 

Didier Drogba poses with the No 11 shirt during his presentation as a Montreal Impact player on Thursday

A view of the Saputo Stadium before the press conference for the MLS's newest Ivorian striker

Drogba was mobbed by fans at at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montreal on Wednesday

Hundreds of fans turned up at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to greet the Ivorian star

Nesta played for Montreal in the 2012-13 season.

'I spoke to Nesta and I know he had a great time here and Montreal is French speaking, while the president also had a big influence,' Drogba, who will wear the No 11 shirt, said.

'The Chelsea players and staff spoke very well about the training centre, that was very important.'

Drogba also rubbished claims that he could be the 'superstar' of the group, while admitting he was surprised by all the fans greeting him at the airport on Wednesday.

'The superstar is only the way people look at you, but in the locker room we're all the same,' he added. 'We're all human beings.'

'I was in Istanbul and in China, but yesterday I was different and I wasn't expecting it'. 

The 37-year-old left Chelsea this summer after playing 381 games for the Blues and winning four Premier League titles across two spells with the London club. 

Drogba, who was released by the west London side at the end of the season, will officially join the Canadian club when he receives his Canadian work permit. 

The MLS side are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference and took to Twitter to confirm the news on Monday night.

Impact President Joey Saputo told the club's official website: It's an honour to welcome Didier Drogba to the Impact. From the first conversation I had with him, I felt that he really wanted to play in Montreal.

The car carrying Drogba is mobbed by fans as he leaves the airport on Wednesday

'This is one of the biggest days in club history and his arrival to the club will be beneficial in every aspect.

'He's had an impact on millions of people since the start of his career and he will continue to do so wearing the Impact colours.' 

Technical Director Adam Braz added: 'We are very excited and thrilled to add to our roster a player with an exceptional career.

Lionel Messi returns to Barcelona training four days early as he cuts holiday short for tests with Neymar and Javier Mascherano

Argentina stars Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are already back in Barcelona training, less than a month after their Copa America final defeat and a week ahead of schedule.

The pair returned to the European champions' Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training base on Thursday alongside South American colleagues Dani Alves and Neymar for medical tests as they bid to get ready for Barcelona's Super Cup contests next month.

Barca face UEFA Cup winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup on August 11 in Georgian capital Tbilisi before taking on Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish edition over two legs on August 14 and 17.

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Lionel Messi (left) was back at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training base for tests on Thursday

(From left) Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Dani Alves, and Neymar strike a pose at the training centre

Messi is strapped up and put through his paces as part of the routine medical examinations

Brazil star Neymar puts the hard yards in as Barcelona's stars prepare for their upcoming Super Cup clashes

Messi gives the thumbs up on his Facebook account as the hard work for the new season gets under way

With the games already coming thick and fast, Messi and Mascherano cut their vacations short to join their team-mates who played in the International Champions Cup in America.

Messi and Mascherano only finished on July 4 with a 0-0 draw against Chile ending with a penalty shootout defeat in Santiago to leave the Argentinians as Copa America runners up.

Along with Brazilian pair Alves and Neymar, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was also undergoing routine medical checks leaving fellow goalkeeper Claudio Bravo as the only member of Barca's first-team squad still away on holiday.

The Chile stopper will rejoin his team-mates on Monday.

Despite being defeated by Chelsea - on penalties - and Manchester United during their Stateside tour, Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said he was pleased with the efforts of the squad missing some of its most famous talents.

Of Barca's most recent game against the Blues, Enrique said: 'It was a game of a high physical level, although we had times when we did not control the game. We did not lose the match against Chelsea, we drew. We leave happy with everything.'

Messi stretches out as Barcelona look to get their top star back into action as soon as possible

Neymar is examined by medical staff at the centre having enjoyed the final days of his summer holidays

Ter Stegen and Javier Mascherano (right) smile for the cameras before preparations begin for the new season

Ter Stegen went on tour with Barca but was also back in town to undergo the routine examinations

'We have been able to get playing time against top quality opposition, we have had the support of lots of fans, who have been the majority in the grounds and we have been able to promote the club.'

The return of two parts of the famous MSN frontline, with Luis Suarez already back, will vastly strengthen the group but there is still little concern over the Treble-winning club's form as the season is still three weeks from recommencing.

Luis Enrique has few worries about his side with over three weeks until the new La Liga season begins

MLS All-Stars 2-1 Tottenham: Kaka and David Villa inspire victory as Harry Kane scores consolation for Mauricio Pochettino's men

Harry Kane scored stunning first-half strike for Tottenham as Mauricio Pochettino's side lost in Colorado

• Former AC Milan star Kaka scored from the spot for the MLS All-Stars before setting up David Villa
• The MLS All Stars were without Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Frank Lampard due to injury
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Harry Kane's first-half strike for Tottenham was not enough as Kaka scored from the penalty spot and set up David Villa's goal minutes later to help the MLS All-Stars to a 2-1 victory on a blustery night in Colorado.

Orlando City's Kaka and Villa of New York City both made their MLS debuts this season and gave the All-Stars a 2-0 lead after just 23 minutes before Kane replied for Tottenham eight minutes before half-time with a stunning effort from just outside the area.

Captain Kaka converted a penalty kick in the 20th minute after a hand ball in the box. Although Michel Vorm dived the right way, the Tottenham goalkeeper couldn't stop the shot from the Brazilian midfielder.

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Orlando City's Kaka scores from the penalty spot to give the MLS All-Stars the lead against Tottenham in Colorado on Wednesday night

Kaka celebrates with his team-mates after scoring from the spot and went on to inspire his side to victory against the Premier League side

Former Spain international David Villa is congratulated by All-Star team-mate DeMarcus Beasley after doubling his side's lead

Tottenham striker Harry Kane fires a shot at goal to half the deficit with eight first half minutes to play but Spurs failed to equalise

England forward Kane is congratulated by midfielder Nabil Bentaleb as Tottenham continue their preparations ahead of the new season

Kaka poses and smiles for the cameras after receiving the Most Valuable Player trophy after the All-Stars' victory against Tottenham

Former Tottenham midfielder Clint Dempsey (right) shared an image on Instagram alongside Juninho, Kaka, Villa and Waylon Francis

Three minutes later, Kaka set up another goal as he delivered a pass that Villa tapped in with his left foot.

It was a frustrating first half for Kane as he was stopped three times by Rimando. However, Kane wouldn't be denied in the 37th minute, when he jinked defender Omar Gonzalez to create just enough space to unleash a shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The England striker was replaced with 13 minutes to play and received a standing ovation from the boisterous crowd of 18,671.

While this was technically a friendly, Tottenham face Real Madrid next week ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester United. 

Keeper Nick Rimando of Real Salt Lake had a sensational opening 45 minutes before turning things over to David Ousted.

Ousted, who plays for Vancouver, kept the All-Stars ahead on 73 minutes when he made a sprawling save from a point-blank shot by Josh Onomah.

DeAndre Yedlin came on for Tottenham early in the second half and had a good chance at a goal in the 83rd minute but sent the ball flying over the crossbar. 

The MLS All Stars were without quite a few big names as Michael Bradley (Toronto), Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Frank Lampard (New York City) and Chris Tierney (New England Revolution) all sat out due to injuries.

U.S icon Landon Donovan, who retired last season after winning the MLS title, attended the game as a spectator.

Donovan may have found his next calling, though. He stepped into the role of head coach in the MLS Homegrown Game on Tuesday, with his side losing in a shootout to Club America under-20s. 

Tottenham midfielder Delle Alli tussles for possession with MLS All-Stars Juninho at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado

Kane takes aim as MLS All-star defender Chad Marshall attempts to block the Tottenham striker's effort on goal

Young midfielder Alli keeps his eye on the ball in another battle for possession with Juninho who was quickest to react in the air

Tottenham youngster Josh Onomah watches on as his low effort is stopped by MLS All-Stars goalkeeper David Ousted

Former Norwich City and Middlesbrough forward Kei Kamara attempts to get the better of Tottenham new boy Kieran Trippier

Tottenham's Danny Rose slides in to dispossess All-Stars' Fabian Castillo having been introduced as a second-half substitute

Thousands of Tottenham fans were present at Dick's Sporting Goods Park to cheer on Mauricio Pochettino's side

Diego Maradona vows to fight FIFA 'mafia' at heart of corruption scandal that rocked governing body

Argentina legend Diego Maradona wants to fight the 'mafia' responsible for the corruption scandal that has rocked FIFA - but he stopped short of saying he wants to be the next president of world football's governing body. 

UEFA chief Michel Platini is favourite for the post after Sepp Blatter announced he would be leaving earlier this summer.

'I have to fight the mafia that still remains inside FIFA. I have to fight those who have for a long time stolen from inside FIFA,' Maradona told local television channel America.

Asked whether he would run for the FIFA presidency, the 54-year old replied ambiguously: 'I really want to be in FIFA.'

Diego Maradona has pledged to take on the 'mafia' running football's world governing body FIFA

Maradona helped Argentina win the World Cup back in 1986. They beat West Germany 3-2 in the final

Maradona, seen here meeting Pope Francis last year, stopped short of suggesting he would run for president

In late May, federal prosecutors in New York indicted nine football officials, most of whom held or had held FIFA positions, and five sports media and promotions executives in schemes involving $150million (£96m) in bribes over a period of 24 years.

Prosecutors said their investigation exposed complex money-laundering schemes, millions of dollars in untaxed income and tens of millions of dollars in offshore accounts held by the officials.

Maradona has launched scathing attacks on the ruling elite of FIFA, and in particular Blatter, who announced in June that he was quitting over the bribery scandal.

Blatter was not charged by US justice officials and denies any misconduct.

Current FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced he would step down following the recent corruption scandal

Michel Platini, the current chief of European governing body UEFA, is to run for the FIFA Presidency

Blatter broke cover to attend the Russia 2018 World Cup draw last weekend alongside President Putin

Maradona has long accused Blatter of running FIFA like a criminal organisation and expressed delight in seeing US authorities hitting several of FIFA's top former and current officials with corruption charges.

He used to bemoan that his warnings were being ignored.

'Now in my favour, I am walking in step with the yanquis,' Maradona said in the interview, using Latin American slang for Americans. 'And these yanquis are serious'.

Maradona was one of soccer's most gifted players and led Argentina to a World Cup victory in 1986. But his dazzling career was blighted in later years by drug addiction, alcoholism and controversial incidents both on and off the field.

The whole world knows I'm a great centre forward... says Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani

Edinson Cavani has been criticised in some quarters for his contributions at Paris Saint-Germain, despite having scored more than a goal every other game in his two seasons at the Ligue 1 club but the Uruguay international has insisted that he is happy in the French capital.

Cavani is not short of confidence having netted 18 goals in 35 league appearances last season, and 31 in 53 in all competitions, and has signalled his unwavering dedication to the Parc des Princes side.

The 28-year-old has also appeared to have had a sly dig at the way PSG manager Laurent Blanc utilises him, feeling he would be much better suited to a more central role, the like of which is currently occupied by talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Edinson Cavani (left) has been playing with Paris Saint-Germain in the United States this pre-season

The 28-year-old and his team took on west London side Chelsea in North Carolina on Saturday

The Uruguay international striker has reiterated his desire to remain at Ligue 1 outfit PSG

'A lot of things have been said about my situation, but all I can say is that the club knows how I feel and what my goals are,' Cavani told L'Equipe.

'I have a contract with PSG and I have to respect that. I am feeling very well in Paris. I am happy here. 

'I have the same goals as the club, and I want to score goals. I want to have a great season and help the team forward. 

'I am 100 per cent dedicated to the team.'

Cavani, who signed for PSG on a five-year contract in July 2013, for a fee believed to be £55million, also stated that he would like to play in his preferred No 9 position. 

'I have always said that I am a centre forward and I have proven myself in this position. The whole world knows Cavani is a great centre forward. 

'It's true that I can also feature in other positions, but I will always put in better performances as a centre forward.

'I played as a forward at Napoli. I think a 4-4-2 formation would work very well for PSG. The coach knows what my favourite position is and how I feel.'

Cavani thinks he would be much better suited to a more central role, the like of which is currently occupied by

Attack, attack, attack! How do the Premier League's top teams compare when it comes to their strike forces for the new season?

The new Premier League season kicks off next weekend

Last season's top six know that goals will be the key to glory

Champions Chelsea have a 'free hit' after signing Radamel Falcao

Manchester United still look short of an out-and-out striker

Manchester City are hoping £49m man Raheem Sterling can supply goals

Arsenal have an exciting forward line and should challenge

Liverpool have concentrated on boosting their goal tally over the summer

Tottenham are very much reliant on Harry Kane once again

The new Premier League season is just a week-and-a-half away and fans can revel once more in the unrivalled entertainment that the English top flight offers.

For all of the title challengers, goals will be the key to glory and last season's top six find themselves with very different-looking forward lines.

Some look well-stocked and lethal in this department, others quite a long way short.

Ahead of the big kick-off, we rate the firepower of the big six.

 

MANCHESTER UNITED

Forwards (Goals scored last season): Wayne Rooney (14), Javier Hernandez (9*), James Wilson (2)

* For Real Madrid 

Total league goals scored last season: 62

Manchester United have again splashed out plenty of cash but, so far at least, the centre forward position has not been addressed.

While the arrival of Memphis Depay offers an exciting fresh dimension to their already-impressive creative options, they do look very much reliant on captain Wayne Rooney up front.

Wayne Rooney has pledged to score 25 goals for Manchester United in the coming campaign

Rooney will be reassured that Louis van Gaal plans to deploy him in his favoured out-and-out striker role and the England skipper believes he can deliver the team 25 goals.

But as it stands, following the summer departures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao, United will be in serious trouble if Rooney gets injured or falls out of form.

Javier Hernandez has returned from his loan at Real Madrid, where he scored nine times, but you can't escape the feeling that if Van Gaal really rated the Mexican, he wouldn't have been so hasty to let him go last summer.

Memphis Depay has looked very sharp in pre-season and is forming a good understanding with Rooney

And beyond that is the still unproven 19-year-old James Wilson, who managed two first-team goals in 17 outings last season.

Although United do have plenty of goals in midfield, with Depay showing promising signs in pre-season and Juan Mata a reliable double-figure goalscorer, they are definitely a striker light.

Van Gaal has spoken during the American tour of bringing in additional firepower up top but nothing is yet in place. Mind you, there is a month of the transfer window left.

Firepower Rating: 7/10

It looks as though Javier Hernandez, loaned out to Real Madrid last season, will get another chance at United

CHELSEA

Forwards (Goals scored last season): Diego Costa (20), Radamel Falcao (4*), Loic Remy (9)

* For Manchester United 

Total league goals scored last season: 73

Chelsea swept to the Premier League title last season and there wasn't really anyone who looked like keeping up with them.

Diego Costa showed he was worth every penny of his £32m transfer fee and scored 21 significant goals to fire them to first place, quickly forming a remarkable understanding with creative players Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard.

They may have lost veteran Didier Drogba, who scored seven times last season, to the MLS but that's unlikely to make any dent in their power.

Diego Costa was prolific for Chelsea in their title-winning campaign and will be hoping for a repeat

The signing of Radamel Falcao - sizeable wages aside - is really a free hit. After such an awful season at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho has acquired a player desperate to prove a point and it really wouldn't be surprising if he finds between 10 and 15 goals.

Loic Remy is also an excellent third-choice striker and will help Mourinho balance his squad through the hard slog that is competing on four fronts.

With the strength of Chelsea's midfield, who can create a goal in an instant, it is little wonder they are favourites to retain their crown.

Firepower Rating: 9.5/10

The signing of Radamel Falcao on loan could prove an inspired move with the Colombian keen to prove a point

 

MANCHESTER CITY

Forwards (Goals scored last season): Sergio Aguero (32), Wilfried Bony (2), Edin Dzeko (6)

Total league goals scored last season: 83

Manchester City were the top scorers in the Premier League last season, yet still ended up eight points shy of Chelsea.

Still, the spread of goals throughout their side is very impressive and the departure of Stevan Jovetic and the likely departure of Edin Dzeko this summer probably won't affect them.

They can still rely on the free-scoring Sergio Aguero, who scored 32 times in all competitions last term, and they can expect a little bit more from Wilfried Bony, entering his first full campaign.

Manchester City will once again look to the goals of Sergio Aguero to sustain a title challenge

Manuel Pellegrini will expect a quick return on the £49m investment they made in Raheem Sterling and the early signs on their pre-season tour are that the England man retains a clinical touch.

Sterling scored nine times and made seven more in Liverpool's 2013-14 season, which saw them almost win the title, and a similar return would see City there or thereabouts.

Given that Jovetic and Dzeko were both bit-part players, who scored 11 goals between them last season, their loss won't have too much impact.

Pellegrini may consider buying another striker as back-up before the transfer window closes but, in all honesty, they're probably well-stocked already.

Firepower Rating: 8.5/10

Manuel Pellegrini will looks for a little more from big money buy Wilfried Bony in the season to come

 

ARSENAL

Forwards (Goals scored last season): Olivier Giroud (19), Danny Welbeck (8), Alexis Sanchez (25)

Total league goals scored last season: 71

There is a very real feeling at Arsenal that things are coming along nicely and a spell of sustained success is just around the corner.

After last year's third-place finish in the league and the FA Cup win, Arsene Wenger decided it wasn't necessary to strengthen in attack and his judgement is probably correct.

The Gunners have a fluid forward line, with more conventional finishers in Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck ably supported by the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring in Arsenal's Emirates Cup win over Lyon last weekend 

They have been in very good form in pre-season and this has put on hold any clamour for a new striker signing. Karim Benzema and Alexandre Lacazette were among the names mooted but Wenger seems confident they won't be needed.

Danny Welbeck scored only eight times in all last season but did have some injury problems. Giroud and Sanchez couldn't be faulted.

The Chilean's tireless workrate and finishing was a delight to watch and when he gets up to full speed against this season, he'll be a menace to all opposition defences.

Wenger's optimism about his attack is also buoyed by the promise of young strikers Chuba Akpom and Alex Iwobi, who have shown good pre-season form.

It looks like Arsenal will stick with what they've got and should be a pretty strong force.

Firepower Rating: 8.5/10

Alexis Sanchez proved an outstanding signing last season, scoring 25 goals in his debut campaign 

 

LIVERPOOL

Forwards (Goals scored last season): Daniel Sturridge (5), Christian Benteke (15), Danny Ings (11), Mario Balotelli (4), Divock Origi (9), Fabio Borini (1), Rickie Lambert (3)

Total league goals scored last season: 52

Liverpool's goal tally halved from 2013-14 to 2014-15 and this underlined their reliance on Luis Suarez to supply the goals before he jumped ship to Barcelona.

Clearly, Brendan Rodgers doesn't want a repeat and the Anfield club now have the best-stocked front line in the Premier League.

Attacking players have been the summer priority, with big money spent on Christian Benteke and Danny Ings, as well as Roberto Firmino to support them.

New signing Christian Benteke in training with Liverpool following his summer move from Aston Villa

While the excess forwards such as Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert - who scored a less-than-spectacular eight goals between them last season - will likely be trimmed before the start of the season, Liverpool theoretically have plenty going forward.

Benteke scored 15 times last season at a difficult time for Aston Villa, while Ings netted 10 for a relegated side. It's also worth remembering that Liverpool should have the benefit of a fully-fit Daniel Sturridge, which should guarantee anything up to 20 goals. Divock Origi is also in the ranks having come back from his loan spell at former club Lille.

Of course, they have lost the creative influence of Sterling but he contributed eight Premier League assists last season and so his departure is hardly a disaster.

The challenge for Rodgers is keeping everyone involved and feeling important but, if all clicks together, then the goals should flow again.

Firepower Rating: 8.5/10

Danny Ings in action during Liverpool's pre-season tour of the Far East - he has arrived from Burnley 

 

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Forwards (Goals scored last season): Harry Kane (31), Roberto Soldado (5)

Total league goals scored last season: 58

Harry Kane scored 21 of Tottenham's 58 Premier League goals last season (36 per cent) and therein lies their problem.

Spurs fans are well aware that elusive top-four finish will remain out of reach if they continue to be so reliant on one frontman.

Kane was in sensational form last season, scoring 31 goals in all, but where was the back-up? Their next leading scorers were Nacer Chadli on 13 and Christian Eriksen with 12.

Tottenham will again rely on Harry Kane to deliver the goals - he scored 31 last season

The other strikers offered precious little - Roberto Soldado contributed five, the now-departed Emmanuel Adebayor just two.

Funds will be a little tighter in the next few years as Spurs build their new stadium but Mauricio Pochettino must be given enough to buy a reliable striker.

Otherwise, a team that finished fifth last season will sink fast, especially with the volume of games that comes with yet another Europa League campaign.

Firepower Rating: 6/10