Scolari: Drogba not leaving
21 Jul 2008 - 09:50:59
Luiz Felipe Scolari has moved swiftly to quash fresh speculation surrounding the future of Didier Drogba after explaining the reason for the striker's absence from a pre-season tour to China and Malaysia.
The Ivory Coast striker was a notable absence as the squad flew out on Sunday for a five-game programme which begins on Wednesday.
But new coach Scolari has revealed that Drogba will miss the trip due to injury and not because of an impending move away from Stamford Bridge.
The 30-year-old has been linked with moves to Internazionale and Barcelona this summer.
"Didier is injured and the doctor and the medical staff make a plan to recuperate him maybe in three weeks, maximum four weeks," he told the club's official website.
"I think Didier will be training and playing, but in this moment it is impossible for him to follow us in Asia.
"His future is in Chelsea because he has a contract for us, and look, I think he is happy in Chelsea."
Meanwhile, Scolari was similarly forthright on the future of fellow unsettled star Frank Lampard.
The England midfielder has been the subject of two failed bids from Internazionale, but Chelsea claim he will remain at the club whether or not he agrees to extend his current contract which has just 12 months left to run.
"About Frank, first he is training every day in the morning and afternoon very well," added Scolari.
"The most important thing is here with us and no more. He is here with us and training every day very well.
"We are talking every day about Chelsea, what's the best way for Chelsea to play and about the positions that are best for him at times in the games.
"But not more about anything, only the way Chelsea win games with Lampard."