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Drogba chooses Ivory Coast over Chelsea

Comment: 0 January 5th, 2012 by: admin

DIDIER Drogba will answer the call of international duty than see action for Chelsea.

The striker declared himself not available for the Blues’ FA Cup tie against Portsmouth on Sunday and instead will report to play for his native Ivory Coast.

With that scenario, Chelsea’s trouble grew as the Stamford Bridge side are hobbled by injuries at this stage of the season.

Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas had hoped Drogba, a symbolic national figurehead in his country, would be able to play before the latter left for the Africa Cup of Nations slated in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

But Drogba, whose minor foot injury caused him to miss their win at Wolves on Monday, dashed it by answering the request of Ivory Coast boss Francois Zahoui to report for international play.

As this developed, Chelsea were reported to have already sent scouts to keep an eye of Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

The 24-year-old Uruguayan, said to be worth 35 million pounds, is being eyed as a potential long-term replacement for the 33-year-old Drogba.

Cavani’s goalscoring feats in the Serie A and Champions League put him on the radar of numerous teams in Europe.

His representatives have already have already made enquiries to the Premier League’s top clubs for possible deals in the summer.

Villas-Boas will have a chance to watch the 6-foot-2 Cavani in action when the Blues tangle with Napoli in the Champions League knockout phase.

In another development, Chelsea have also shown interest on Marseille’s Cesar Azpilicueta, a 22-year-old fullback said to be worth 16 million pounds. A deal is expected to be finalised in the January window.

The Blues are also reported to be eyeing 19-year-old Brazilian Lucas Moura, who plays as midfielder for Sao Paolo.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are still negotiating to have brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure play for Sunday’s derby against United, while Arsenal hope Gervinho would play for Monday’s tie against Leeds.

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