Striker Drogba surprised after AC Milan insist he's 'staying at Chelsea'

Drogba looked certain to leave Chelsea this summer after the club decided it was time to sell the striker following his sending-off in the Champions League Final.

The Ivory Coast international frustrated the hierarchy with his behaviour last term, publicly expressing a desire to leave on many occasions, and his needless red card in Moscow was the last straw.

AC Milan, Inter Milan and Barcelona have all been strongly linked with the 30-year-old, but none have made a major bid so far.

Stunned: Drogba is shocked by AC Milan's claims that he is staying at Chelsea

Earlier this week, AC Milan vice president Adriano Galliani revealed his club's main target was Arsenal's Emmanuel Adebayor because, he claimed, 'Drogba is not for sale'.

But that has come as a surprise to Drogba for, although he has yet to decide his future, sources close to the player insist he could still leave Stamford Bridge.

Inter manager Jose Mourinho expressed his desire to work with him again last week, although the Portuguese may have to convince his president Massimo Moratti, who declared Inter wouldn't be signing any strikers this summer.

Drogba has grown more open to the idea of staying at Chelsea, especially now they have appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as the new manager, but the decision may not be in his hands.

Chelsea have already begun eyeing up his replacement, with David Villa and Samuel Eto'o in the frame.

One player determined to fight for his place is midfielder John Obi Mikel.

Chelsea have been linked with a number of top class players since Scolari's appointment, but Mikel insists he isn't worried by the competition.

He said:
'I am not afraid to hear about one player or the other coming to Chelsea. It's something that makes me stronger. I would have left Chelsea long ago if I had been scared or a chicken-hearted player.'

Meanwhile, former manager Avram Grant has been offered a chance to get back in the game as Georgia's national team coach.

Nodar Akhalkatsi, president of the Georgia Federation, wants Grant to lead the team in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

He said: 'I have spoken with him and offered him the job. We have monitored his work with the Israel national team and Chelsea, and feel he is a good coach. We will speak again soon.'