Chelsea left for their pre-season tour of China and Malaysia on Sunday without striker Didier Drogba, BBC Sport reports.

Drogba, 30, who has been linked with a transfer away from Chelsea, requires further treatment on a knee injury, according to Chelsea's website.

His absence may spark fresh speculation about the Ivory Coast star's future.
 
Frank Lampard was included in the squad which left London for China under new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari amid on-going reports about a move to Inter Milan.
 
A statement from Chelsea said: "Didier Drogba will not be travelling as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury at the Cobham training ground."
 
Drogba has been linked with possible moves to AC Milan and Barcelona but his agent has hinted that he may agree a new deal at Stamford Bridge before the new season starts.
 
Scolari claimed at his official unveiling that Drogba was still "200% in his plans" for the squad.
 
Claudio Pizarro was also omitted from the tour squad because of injury but Michael Ballack will join up with the squad in China after taking a holiday following Euro 2008.
 
Chelsea open their tour against Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals on 23 July and follow that with matches against Chengdu Blades in Macau three days later and Malaysian Select XI in Kuala Lumpur on 29 July before travelling on to Russia for two games.
 
Scolari is relishing the opportunity to see his players in action for the first time during the tour of Asia.
 
"The players are not ready yet totally, but we are starting to build a new team and a new philosophy.
 
"This is just the beginning, and I expect after these fives games that I have a general idea about all the players and a system."

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