Didier Drogba has been omitted from Chelsea’s pre-season
tour of Asia, leaving his future at Stamford Bridge shrouded
further in doubt.
Club officials have insisted the striker is recovering from
a knee injury but the 30-year-old's absence will continue to
exacerbate the speculation.
A virtually full-strength squad has travelled to play in
fixtures in China and Malaysia, before returning to Europe for the
Railways Cup in Moscow.
Inter target Frank Lampard, is included in the party, which
gives an indication that a new deal for the midfielder may be
concluded imminently.
Recent arrivals Deco and Jose Bosingwa are in Luiz Felipe
Scolari's squad, while Michael Ballack will link up with his
team-mates in China after a rest period following Euro 2008.
Scolari will take charge of his first match as Chelsea manager
on Wednesday against Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals.
"The players are not ready yet totally, but we are starting to
build a new team and a new philosophy," Scolari told the club’s
website.
"This is just the beginning, and I expect after these five games
that I will have a general idea about all the players and a
system."