Mourinho plays down Drogba link

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has hosed down speculation linking him with a move for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Mourinho enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the Ivory Coast frontman, having signed Drogba from French outfit Marseille in 2003 while at the helm of the English Premier League club.

Drogba was a key element in Mourinho’s back-to-back Premier League titles with the west London club, and the 33-year-old – who has 11 goals to his name this season – has been linked with a reunion with his former boss at La Liga powerhouse Real.

“Everybody knows the professional and personal relationship that I have with Drogba,” Mourinho said.

“But everybody also knows the relationship that I have with (Blues owner Roman) Abramovich and Chelsea.”

“Therefore if it were true that Chelsea wants to sell him I would be one of the first to know because we have got a very direct, friendly relationship and they have told me nothing.”

“So I think that Didier is going to stay where he has to stay, where he has made history.”