Villas-Boas: Drogba, Anelka going nowhere

Andre Villas-Boas has denied that strikers Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea before the transfer window ends.

The Blues have added Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku to the striking department at Stamford Bridge since January, while Daniel Sturridge has returned from a loan-spell at Bolton, leaving many to speculate over the future of the ageing duo.

But Chelsea manager Villas-Boas has stated the pair will not be leaving the English Premier League club before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August, and is hopeful both will sign new contracts at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s not true,” the Portuguese told reporters when probed on whether Anelka wants to leave Chelsea.

Asked whether the club would reach an agreement with Drogba over a new contract, Villas-Boas was also confident: “We will.”

The Portuguese revealed he has big plans for the Ivorian this season and is hoping he will commit his future to the club.

“He is one of the most important players and representative players of the club,” he said.

“And his willingness to continue is 100 percent. It will be because of that that we will reach an agreement.”

Villas-Boas’ men host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, and will be without first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech after he injured a knee in training on Thursday.

It is just another reason why Villas-Boas is pleading caution ahead of the clash.

“They held Man United, the Champions League finalists, up to the 80th minute (on Sunday),” Villas-Boas said.

“They created a couple of chances, they play good football, they favour good football which is something important and it’s important for the spectacle.”

“So it’s a difficult game for us and we will try and do everything in our power to win the three points.”