NO DROGBA BID

Carlo Ancelotti has said that the club has not received any bids for Didier Drogba. Club president Jean-Claude Dassier announced on Thursday that the French champions had attempted to bring the Ivorian striker back to Stade Velodrome before the transfer window slammed shut. Three fans even had £100 free bets on Drogba returning to France.

He claimed their advances were knocked back by Chelsea, who acquired Drogba for £24million from Marseille in 2004. Since then he has gone on to become one of the most fearsome frontmen in world football, collecting an enviable collection of honours along the way.

Didier Drogba is, however, now 32 years old and there had been talk over the summer that Chelsea may choose to cash in on him. Those reports were quickly played down by the Blues, who insist the African ace remains an integral part of their plans.