Drogba open to new deal

DIDIER DROGBA is willing to discuss a contract extension with Chelsea.

The Ivory Coast international was an outcast under former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari but the frontman has been revitalised since interim coach Guus Hiddink agreed to take charge until the summer.

Drogba’s current contract expires at the end of next season and there was widespread speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid in the January transfer window, but the player’s advisor now insists his client is ready to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Thierno Seydi claims Drogba is prepared to reject a host of big-money offers from across Europe in order to remain with the Blues.

He believes the striker has rediscovered his form and passion for the club and is now ready to complete a remarkable U-turn by pledging his future to them.

And, to put off any potential pre-season suitors, he would like to open talks about a new deal as soon as possible – providing Chelsea are interested in keeping him.

“There are big opportunities at Chelsea,” said Seydi. “He is happy, playing well and his return to form and scoring goals points to the fact he is enjoying his football.

“If Chelsea present a new proposition then we will study it and after that he will make a decision on his future.

“It was important for him to return to his best level, without bad injuries, and he has shown he’s one of the best players in Europe.

“A lot of big clubs in Europe have asked about him but we will not make any decision until the end of the season.”

Much will depend, though, on Chelsea’s choice of a permanent manager to replace Hiddink, as the Dutchman insists he will not be staying at Stamford Bridge once the season has ended.

Hiddink is determined to lead Russia to the 2010 World Cup finals and Chelsea cannot afford to wait until the qualification period is over in November.

The Dutch coach has a clause in his contract that allows him to walk away from the post if they fail to reach the finals.

But Hiddink, currently back in Moscow with Russia’s national team, said: “A lot of people are trying to persuade me to stay at Chelsea. But I won’t change my decision. I’m leaving Chelsea in May.”

Meanwhile AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated his desire to remain at the club next season despite persistent rumours linking him with a move to Chelsea this summer.

Milan have endured a difficult season and will most likely finish the campaign without a trophy for the second year running.

“If things were not to work between me and Milan as they have done in the past years, I think it would be fair for the two parties to embrace, say goodbye and remember with affection these past eight years,” said Ancelotti.

“But I don’t think that time has come because the harmony between us is complete, even though the season has certainly not been a positive one.”

Milan, who missed out on the Champions League after a fifth-place finish last term, were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by Werder Bremen in the last 32.

The Rossoneri were also eliminated early on in the Coppa Italia and are 14 points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan with nine games remaining.

“It’s logical that if Milan has had a drop in form and that the team needs to be renewed, we need to evaluate this situation together,” Ancelotti continued.

“Not many clubs, including Milan, can afford to make huge investments at this time, considering that Italian teams suffer more than other teams in other nations like Spain or England (because of taxation).

“But this is an issue that can be tackled together and we can find a solution together.”

Ancelotti is under contract with Milan until 2010. He is the longest serving manager in Italy’s top flight, having joined the club in 2001.