Nicolas Anelka is confident that Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will join him in China this summer.

Drogba, who scored as the Blues overcame Stoke City 1-0 yesterday, has long been linked with a move away from Chelsea as owner Roman Abramovich looks to reduce the age of his playing squad.

32-year-old Anelka, who left Stamford Bridge in January to join Shanghai Shenhua, has revealed that he has spoken to his former strike partner about a likely reunion.

"If I could choose any of my former teammates to join me at Shenhua, it would be Didier," Anelka told The Mirror.

"It's difficult for me to say much at this time, but I speak with him on a regular basis and I expect him to come to Shanghai. When I left Chelsea, I told him we'd play together again soon."

Drogba celebrated his 34th birthday today.