Mourinho confirms Drogba interest

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has given Didier Drogba his seal of approval, claiming the forward would add another dimension to the Stamford Bridge attack.

The Premiership runners-up are looking to strengthen their forward line with a reported £22m (€33m) swoop for the Marseilles hitman and Mourinho believes Drogba would provide an alternative attacking option.

He told the Daily Mail: “I like Drogba a lot because he is different. We do not need players who have the qualities of Eidur Gudjohnsen because we have a special one and with Mateja Kezman and Adrian Mutu it is exactly the same.”

Drogba would provide a direct, physical style and was pivotal in Marseilles’ run to the UEFA Cup final last season.

The transfer is unlikely to be completed until next week as the French club are still debating the Chelsea offer.

Mourinho seems to have offered a lifeline to Hernan Crespo. The Argentine’s days seemed numbered at Stamford Bridge after he failed to report for training on Monday but Mourinho told Chelsea TV he has been impressed by the striker’s approach.

He said: “These two sessions he’s worked with us – he’s showing good qualities and good motivation.”