Shenhua working on Drog deal

Big-spending Chinese club reveal Batista as new boss

Last Updated: May 30, 2012 4:57pm

• 0
• 0

Didier Drogba: Has confirmed he will leave Chelsea this summer

Sky Bet

• Sky Bet are offering all new customers a £10 Completely Free BetClaim your free bet now

New Shanghai Shenhua coach Sergio Batista says the Chinese club are still working hard to sign Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Drogba has been heavily linked with a move to Shenhua since he announced he would end his eight-year association with the Blueswhen his contract expires this summer.

The Ivory Coast frontman, who helped Chelsea to the UEFA Champions League title to end his Stamford Bridge career on a high, would link up with former team-mate Nicolas Anelka should he join the Chinese club.

Speculation has surfaced that Drogba could snub Shenhua in favour of a move to Real Madrid, where he would be reunited with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

But Ex-Argentina manager Batista, who was unveiled as Shenhua coach on Wednesday, believes the striker could soon be at the club "if everything is ok".

He said: "The people from the club are doing the best things to get Drogba here.

"I think every coach in the world wants to get Drogba on the team and I hope everything is okay."

No rift

Batista has played down talk of a rift with Anelka, who was temporarily named as player-coach after former manager Jean Tigana was sacked in April.

"It's another moment. He's a player. I'm open to hear Anelka and all the players on the team speak about what's happening on the field," he said.

"Obviously, the final decision is from the coach."

The 49-year-old added: "Anelka can give to all the players his experience, on the field and off the field.

"I don't want Anelka to play only to score goals. He is one of the best players in the world, but I want to keep him back on the field to play with his partners on the team."