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Mourinho plays down Drogba links but admits 'he's like a son'

30/11/2008

Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho says Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is "like a son" to him but insists he is not planning a swoop for the Ivorian.

Rumours have persistently linked Inter with a move for the Blues forward in recent weeks after it was claimed club officials met with the players agent – though that has been denied by Inter.

Drogba prospered under the Mourinho regime at Chelsea and his former coach admits he has a special bond with the striker.

"It is easy for me to talk about him, because he is like a son to me," said Mourinho.

"But it is also difficult for me to talk about him, because he is a Chelsea player, he has a contract with them and can choose between many different teams when he wants to leave."

Mourinho is quick to point to the four world class strikers he already has available to him in Milan and says he is happy with them.

Inter boast Hernan Crespo, Julio Cruz, Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as attacking options already, but Mourinho says he understands why the club are being linked with Drogba.

He said: "I understand that when there is talk of his [Drogba] unhappiness at the Blues, Inter's name will inevitably come out.

"That is down to the rapport that exists between us, but there is nothing else in it. I hope he rediscovers joy and happiness and that he can play at his level."

Drogba is currently serving a three-match suspension for violent conduct after he threw a coin that was aimed at him back into the crowd during Chelsea's Carling Cup defeat to Burnley.