Real Madrid snub 'too old' Drogba

Real Madrid's interest in Didier Drogba has faded because they think the striker is too old.

Director of football Pedja Mijatovic has confirmed that the Spanish champions are still weighing up a move for Michael Ballack but believe Drogba may now be past his best.

Mijatovic is part of a three-man team, including coach Bernd Schuster and President Ramon Calderon, which will make final decisions in December about who to sign and how much to spend in the January transfer window.

Drogba was in tears when Jose Mourinho told his players that he was leaving the club last Thursday and is known to be unhappy with his replacement, Avram Grant.

"Drogba is a current Chelsea player and I think he would find it difficult to persuade his club to let him go," said Serbian Mijatovic, whose goal won Madrid the 1998 Champions League.

"However, totally independent of his situation with Chelsea you have to accept that he's 29 turning 30 and that needs to be taken into consideration for us."

Real Madrid already have Ruud van Nistelrooy (31) and Raul (30) in attack and, despite Schuster saying he was interested in Drogba at the weekend, their advanced ages look like ending any chance of an escape route for Drogba.

The Spaniards do, though, remain interested in Ballack, even though Mijatovic hinted he was slightly concerned by Chelsea's attempts to push
him out of the door in the summer. He added: "Regarding Michael Ballack, it's clear that we have a long running interest in him despite the fact that he remains injured.

"The only reason we didn't do a deal for him last summer was the amount of money which his agent wanted for a commission.

"I was also a little concerned at the ease of dealing with Chelsea on the subject.

"Real Madrid believe it is a difficult job to dip into the midseason transfer market and be successful but a year ago we did that with two signings who were key in helping us win the title in June.

"Thus if the market offers us the right deals then we will have plenty of money to spend but it will have to be a great player."

Ballack, ironically, now looks like he will soon be back to full fitness and is desperate to start playing again after two ankle operations.

He said: "It's getting better. I am working very hard and I hope to be back very soon.

"The pain is much better. I had to wait a long time to get to this level, but I am happy with the situation now.

"I have started kicking and working with the ball on the pitch again and it is a very good feeling for me after five months.

"I can't say a particular date when I will be back, but I hope to be training with the rest of the players and back in the team in a few weeks time."

Meanwhile, former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben has spoken for the first time about his move to Madrid saying: "I'm proud of helping Chelsea play well and win trophies but I came to Madrid to try and make myself the best player in the world."