Jul 24

Didier Drogba to miss beginning of season after groin surgery

• Drogba had ‘minimal invasive surgery’, according to club
• Striker set to miss Community Shield and league opener

Didier Drogba is set to miss next month’s Community Shield and Chelsea’s Premier League opener after undergoing groin surgery which will rule him out for three weeks.

The Ivory Coast international, who was troubled by the groin problem during Chelsea’s double-winning campaign last season, successfully had “minimal invasive surgery” yesterday, the club said on their website.

“The decision to perform the procedure after his return from the World Cup was made to optimise his rehabilitation,” read the statement. “He is expected to return to full training in approximately three weeks.”

The 32-year-old is therefore expected to miss the 8 August Wembley meeting with Manchester United and probably also the beginning of their title defence at home to West Bromwich Albion on 14 August.

The centre-back Alex and the goalkeeper Petr Cech are also expected to miss the beginning of the season with injuries.

Chelseaguardian.co.uk

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May 14

Carlo Ancelotti says he would like to bring Fernando Torres to Chelsea

• Ancelotti says Liverpool striker is a ‘very good player’
• Didier Drogba had said he was keen to play with Torres

Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged for the first time that he would like to have Fernando Torres at Chelsea. It has been reported for several months that Chelsea are considering a bid for the Liverpool striker, but Ancelotti shared his feelings on such a move for the first time after Didier Drogba said he would enjoy playing alongside Torres.

“It’s not only Drogba – I would like to play with Torres,,” Ancelotti told The Sun. “He is a very good player. But this is not an issue for now. He is a Liverpool player and is a good striker but we have two fantastic strikers and this is not for this moment.”

Earlier this week Drogba had been asked whether he would welcome the added competition Torres would bring for places. “Of course,” said Drogba. “Every time there is a new player coming here it’s making the club bigger and giving us a lot of strength. If there is a chance for him to come he will be welcome – because any help is welcome.”

Of more immediate concern to Ancelotti is tomorrow’s FA Cup final against Portsmouth, which will pit Ancelotti against former Chelsea manager Avram Grant.

“Avram is a very good coach,” said Ancelotti. “He was here in Chelsea for one year and did a very good job. And also this year, Portsmouth have had a difficult year but he did well to take them to the final and get his players to go out with strong, strong motivation.”

Ancelotti’s team will be without Mikel John Obi tomorrow after he underwent surgery on a knee injury, as well as long-term absentees Michael Essien, Jose Bosingwa (both knee) and Ricardo Carvalho (ankle). Branislav Ivanovic has also picked up a minor knee complaint, and Paulo Ferreira is on standby should he fail to recover.

ChelseaCarlo AncelottiFernando TorresPremier LeagueTransfer windowPaolo Bandiniguardian.co.uk

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Jan 13

Manchester City to seek £9m for Daniel Sturridge at Chelsea tribunal

• Chelsea hope to pay about £2m for striker
• Tribunal will decide on compensation due for 20-year-old

Manchester City will seek up to £9m from Chelsea for Daniel Sturridge when the two sides meet to resolve a valuation for the striker at a tribunal tomorrow.

The 20-year-old left Eastlands in the summer when his contract expired but City are still entitled to a fee for the player they developed and have compiled a dossier to back up their case.

City officials will cite examples such as Theo Walcott’s move from Southampton, which cost Arsenal £5m rising to £12m on appearances, and Fraizer Campbell’s transfer from Manchester United to Sunderland.

Chelsea hope to pay around £2m for Sturridge, who has started only one Premier League game this season but could now get a run in the side with Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Manchester CityChelseaPremier LeagueDaniel Taylorguardian.co.uk

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