Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has dismissed reports suggesting that they are ready to free Hernan Crespo, currently at Inter, from his Stamford Bridge contract.
The Argentine attacker is owned by the London outfit, whom he is tied to until 2008, but joined Inter on a loan deal last summer.
Crespo has admitted that he wants to remain with the Nerazzurri and reports yesterday claimed that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was ready to make that happen.
However, Chelsea will face a striker shortage in the first part of next season as Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will be away on international duty.
“That is why Hernan will have to return to London,” noted Mourinho after his side booked a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 2-1 win at Valencia.
“There is no way we can play with just two men upfront in that delicate phase of the season,” added the Portuguese maestro.
“I am sorry for Crespo from a human point of view as I know he would like to stay in Milan, but he will have to come back.”
The Nerazzurri were reportedly ready to offer Crespo a two-year deal at the end of the present campaign after the player claimed he was ready to end his career with the Beneamata.