Premier League - Drogba silent over Inter link

Eurosport - Wed, 26 Nov 19:35:00 2008

Didier Drogba has refused to comment on reports suggesting he met with Internazionale officials.

FOOTBALL Chelsea Drogba - 0

Jose Mourinho is understood to be interested in signing the Ivory Coast international, having previously worked with him at Chelsea.

Allegations have surfaced claiming Drogba and his agent recently met Inter's sporting director Marco Branca and Mourinho's representative for talks.

Mourinho insisted that he knew nothing about the discussions, although Blues boss Luis Felipe Scolari admitted he could not rule out the possibility that Drogba had met with Inter officials.

Drogba's future has been the subject of speculation for some time but the player himself is staying focused on Chelsea.

The striker, currently serving a three-match domestic suspension for throwing a coin back into the crowd against Burnley, is under contract at Stamford Bridge for two more years.

"I don't have anything to say," Drogba said.

"I am upset about the reaction on my comeback game, I made an error.

"I have always said I have a contract with Chelsea until 2010, no comment about the supposed meeting."

Chelsea are currently one point ahead of both Roma and Bordeaux in Group A, but defeat in the Stade Chaban-Delmas would leave the English side facing a tense last-round encounter with CFR Cluj at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was clearly irritated by the Drogba rumour.

"I do not sleep with him (Drogba)," retorted Scolari. "Where he was last night? I don't know. I am not a policeman for my players."

But when the Brazilian was asked if Drogba had been given permission to be in the company of Branca, Scolari's tone worsened.

He said: "Ask (chief executive) Peter Kenyon, ask (owner) Roman Abramovich. I don't know, I am only the coach."

The club were aware that the rumour was circulating throughout Tuesday afternoon but were determined not to talk publicly about it.

Inter coach Mourinho insists he has no plans to bring his former player to the San Siro despite the latest link.

"I don't know where Branca was, I was at dinner at Cernobbio," he said. "I know absolutely nothing about this story.

"I know on the other hand that Drogba is part of the history of Chelsea and, from afar, it seems to me that he is and will be a Chelsea player."

Drogba was heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer but decided to remain with the Blues.

However, he missed over a month of the season with a knee injury and caused controversy in his comeback match when he threw a coin back at Burnley fans in Chelsea's Carling Cup defeat - earning himself a three-match ban in the process.

Drogba is still serving that suspension in England but can take part in European competitions and is part of the Chelsea squad in Bordeaux.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 42 - 61 of 61

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  1. rex e, comment 43,
    Chelsea would not have won the European Championship anyway so what is the big deal about Drogba? Your outfit didn't win as they were not good enough.....get over it and move on.

    From sappercommando25, on Thu 27 Nov 1:35AM

  2. Didier Drogba is not commenting on the move to Inter because he is moving. It is usual not to comment on these transfers till they are finalised. And so what if he moves. Chelsea shall always be a club of foreign players anyway.

    From sappercommando25, on Thu 27 Nov 1:32AM

  3. TIMO GLOCK likes it up the bum!

    From david b, on Wed 26 Nov 9:51PM

  4. TIMO GLOCK, i hope thats not your real picture it looks like you pushed the plug up to far.

    From afcwasps, on Wed 26 Nov 9:41PM

  5. oliverfuentes, the difference is muppet that most real chelsea supporters hope he goes.

    From afcwasps, on Wed 26 Nov 9:40PM

  6. its funny but have we not heard this story before er re ashley cole perhaps we could see a repeat and who was in charge at chelsea at the time lol lets see how chelsea react oh and yes im an arsnal fan

    From OLIVER, on Wed 26 Nov 9:13PM

  7. goodbye DIVEBA, and good riddance you CHEATING, DIVING, good for the sea toerag ;o)

    From Skittles, on Wed 26 Nov 9:13PM

  8. Thank you Jose, youve done chelsea proud again by taking out our rubbish, good bye Dogba

    From Scott, on Wed 26 Nov 8:23PM

  9. ronaldo is the diver!!!!!!!!! leave our didi alone

    From marc e, on Wed 26 Nov 7:08PM

  10. Drogba should go because he dives

    From ahmerminaan, on Wed 26 Nov 6:54PM

  11. he is too weak for the premiership

    From Gary T, on Wed 26 Nov 6:20PM

  12. bye bye loser

    From Gary T, on Wed 26 Nov 6:20PM

  13. Bye bye Drogba carry on diving in other colours

    From Nicholas, on Wed 26 Nov 6:12PM

  14. DROGBA HAS PROVED TO BE AN INTELLIGENT AND LOYAL PLAYER AT CHELSEA OVER THE YEARS. HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHELSEA SUCCESSES SHOULD BE APPRECIATED. HE SHOULD RATHER BE ENCOURAGED TO STAY THAN TO GO TO ANY OTHER CLUB NOW. HE STILL HAS A HIGH STEAM IN HIM WHICH CHELSEA NEEDS BADLY TO STAY ATOP.

    From isamotuajao, on Wed 26 Nov 5:53PM

  15. Owen or Henry to partner Anelka?

    From david b, on Wed 26 Nov 5:41PM

  16. well drogba has done his little for the blues,are we till expecting more from him ?dis question goes to the blues see yahhhhhhh

    From Surakatu Temitope, on Wed 26 Nov 5:35PM

  17. As a Chelsea fan I say just let him go. Great striker who has been brilliant for us over the years (bar CL final) but its time to call it a day now. His heart hasn't been with the club since Jose left. Sell him, wish him all the best at Inter and bring in someone new.

    From Grant, on Wed 26 Nov 5:35PM

  18. I'm Chelsea through & through. I think it's time Drogba went, he's not on top form lately and doesn't seem interseted in Chelsea anymore. Roman & big Phil must get together and find a better replacement to compliment Anelka, whatever the cost. I hope they're working on it right now so Drogba can go hold Jose's hand at Inter, and we'll have the best forward pairing in the league again. And the youngster Di Santo will do a good job when called on. Also Sahar When he comes back from Pompey to warm the bench.

    From david b, on Wed 26 Nov 5:33PM

  19. I am not a fan of anyone I just watch football. In the case of Drogba, he was good for a few years but never punched his weight and he has gone now. He is 30/31 and very few strikers are at the top level at this age. Look at Schevchenko ( if that is how you spell it ), a bad buy by his mate. Chelsea should be glad to see the back of Drogba. He is pouty, injured and his heart is not in it. In two years you will be saying ' who? ' as this game moves on fast. Get a good striker to partner Anelka as I like the competition in the PL to go on til the end of the season

    From taff, on Wed 26 Nov 5:02PM

  20. Rex, Drogba is one the the best strikers Chelsea have ever had and deserves our support, love and admiration.

    I joke of course! if I could have given your posts a thousands thumbs up I would have done.

    From RossG, on Wed 26 Nov 4:57PM
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