Looks like Chelsea will have a rather rough start to the season eh?

Chelsea star Didier Drogba is expected to miss the start of the 2008 English Premier League season. He is still recovering from a knee injury and is not expected back until the end of the month.

‘’Didier will not play in our first game against Portsmouth and will probably miss the second against Wigan. If there are no more problems he should be ready for the game after that,'’ Chelsea FC manager Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

They say it is possible that Didier Drogba returns for the game on August 31st against Tottenham but, according to the team, that is not a guarantee.

‘’I have been getting a progress report from the doctor every day. He’s getting better and is working with a fitness coach back at the training ground. I hope he will be ready to start training next week. But he will not play until he is in good condition,'’ Scolari adds.

Despite that, Drogba could be signing a new contract soon that would keep him at Chelsea until 2012. ‘’I am confident talks with Chelsea will lead to a positive resolve about my future,'’ Drogba said.

A few teams have inquired about the availability of Drogba but he wants to stay with Chelsea. ‘’Money is not the main factor and if Chelsea show they want me it is possible to accept a proposition.'’

The good news for Chelsea is that Nicolas Anelka looks ready to pick up the slack until Drogba returns. Anelka scored four goals in Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over AC Milan. He now has six goals this preseason.

‘’It was good to score against Milan in a good game but it is only a friendly game, and I look forward to the beginning of the season,'’ Anelka said. ‘’Six goals is good but it doesn’t matter, I am just looking to score goals.'’

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