Out-of-favour Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has spoken of his "love" for former club Olympique Marseille but insists he is not trying to engineer an exit from Stamford Bridge.
The Ivory Coast striker moved to Stamford Bridge in 2004 for £23.8 million after spending just one season in Marseille where he was named France's player of the year.
Drogba has been hampered by injury this season and in his absence Nicolas Anelka has flourished: Drogba has scored just three goals in all competitions compared to Anelka's 17.
Drogba was also singled out for criticism following Chelsea's recent 3-0 capitulation at Manchester United and the 30-year-old has been left out of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's last two squads, all of which has added to the speculation surrounding the Ivorian's future at the club.
Now Drogba has refused to rule out a return to the French side at some point in the future.
He told French newspaper La Provence: ''It clearly isn't the moment for me to talk about an eventual return to OM. I have a lot of respect for Chelsea and while I am with them, I can't say anything.
''The most important thing is knowing my attachment to Marseille is still intact. I have always said it. If something must come about, and I don't know under what conditions, OM are going to have to get in contact with Chelsea.
''But be careful, I am not opening the door to an eventual transfer, I am simply explaining the situation.''