• Premier League

Mourinho set to test Chelsea with bid for Drogba

ESPNsoccernet staff
January 23, 2011
Didier Drogba has struggled for consistency this season © Getty Images
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Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is to test the resolve of Chelsea with a cheeky bid for star striker Didier Drogba, according to reports.

The former Chelsea boss wants to be reunited with Drogba, 32, after initial negotiations to recruit Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor broke down, the Sunday Mirror reports.

Mourinho is so eager to recruit a striker following a long-term injury to Gonzalo Higuian that he has fallen out with Real's general manager Jorge Valdano, who is reluctant to recruit another forward on a permanent basis with out-of-favour Karim Benzema sat on the Bernabeu bench.

Valdano was asked after last Sunday's draw with Almeria about the progress being made in the hunt for a new striker and he said: "We are spectators to whatever the coach decides. I hope Benzema does not stay on the bench for too long. The situation surrounding him is unfair."

Mourinho responded: "I pick the team, and if I need any help then I have my coaching staff."

Despite the tensions at Real, the Spanish club were in talks to take Adebayor on loan but when City demanded a £15 million transfer instead the move broke down.

Drogba, who joined Chelsea at the same time as Mourinho in 2004 in a £24 million deal, has been out of form since contracting Malaria but Real will send a team of scouts to evaluate the striker.

The Sunday Times reports that the Drogba, 32, is top of a list of senior players set to be sold as Chelsea plan a major overhaul of the squad which won three titles in six seasons but is now showing its age.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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