Drogba Increases His Shanghai Club's Attendance, Praises League

Since Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua signed former Chelsea player Didier Drogba, home game crowds have increased 30%, according to the AFP. The club is "reaping the rewards" even as "questions swirl" over Drogba's future. Drogba joined the club in mid-July for a reported $300,000-plus per week, making him the highest-paid player in the country. Home attendance has grown to around 20,000, up from 15,000 during the pre-Drogba era (AFP, 9/21). In Beijing, Yan Weijue reported that Drogba "praised the Chinese Super League." Drogba: "This is a great league. And despite much room for improvement, I feel like it has been making progress. I give it a seven on a scale of 10" (CHINA DAILY, 9/21).