Adebayor defends Chelsea strikers

Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor has defended Chelsea strikers Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres.

The Togolese forward has enjoyed a fine run of form since his arrival at White Hart Lane on loan from Manchester City, but came under-fire during his final season at Arsenal before he made the Eastlands switch.

The 27-year-old has since suggested that his turbulent relationship with fans at the Emirates affected his on-field displays.

And he feels sorry for the Chelsea duo, claiming that it is not easy to perform at your best when you are under pressure from your home fans.

He told The Times: “When you have the feeling that the team wants you out or the manager wants you out, things feel different.”

“Where you’re supposed to run, you don’t run any more. Where you’re supposed to chase back, you don’t chase back any more. Everything you are doing is the opposite to what people like.”

“And why? That’s not being lazy. That’s being frustrated in your head. And when you have 60,000 people at your own home booing you, like I had at Arsenal, trust me you don’t want to run for anybody.”

Adebayor then jumped to the defence of Torres and Drogba, with the Spaniard in particular widely criticised for his performances at Stamford Bridge since his 50 million pounds move from Liverpool in January.

“It’s like today, people are saying Torres is lazy,” Adebayor said.

“He’s not lazy. He’s doing the best he can, but before he goes on to the pitch people are saying he’s lazy or he’s tired or ‘get rid of Torres’. It’s not easy to do your best when you hear these things.”

“Also there’s (Didier) Drogba. I’m pleased for Drogba. He’s doing great. But his red card two months ago? Drogba would never tackle like that before.”

“How and why did the Drogba I know tackle like that? Because something was wrong in his head. People are saying all this – Torres-Drogba-Torres-Drogba -and it gets to you. He went to do something he’s not supposed to – and it’s all out of frustration.”

Adebayor is on his second loan spell away from Manchester City, a club where he said he also felt frustrated due to a lack of confidence in his ability, something which was exasperated by being forced to train with the under-15 squad after returning from a successful six months at Real Madrid.

“What I’m trying to say is that when you don’t feel confident, it’s hard,” he said.

“Sometimes I would wake up in the morning, I’m going to Manchester City, I drive, I’m on time, I reach there, I see the building and … Oh my God. Frustration comes again.”

“I have huge respect for the fans there and normally I’ a happy guy, but when you’re not happy and you don’ feel confidence and support, it’s difficult to deal with.”

“But you know? Football is strange. I was at Manchester City and I wasn’t playing, not even getting in the squad of 18 players, then I find myself at Real Madrid, one of the greatest clubs in the world, scoring in the Champions League, winning the Copa del Rey. Can you imagine?”

“I have a wonderful six months there, then I go back to Manchester City and find myself training not with the reserves but with the under-15s.”

“No, really. My first two weeks back for pre-season were with the under-15s at Manchester City.”