Anelka - Blues miss Drogba

16 September 2009 14:46
Nicolas Anelka has admitted that Chelsea were missing a key ingredient without the suspended Didier Drogba against Porto. The Blues ran out 1-0 winners against the Portuguese side in their opening UEFA Champions League group game thanks to Anelka's strike early in the second half. However, they struggled to reproduce the form they have shown in the Premier League so far this season and Anelka believes Drogba's absence was a major factor. Drogba will also sit out the European games against APOEL Nicosia and Atletico Madrid as a result of his actions after the semi-final defeat to Barcelona last season and Anelka is looking forward to welcoming him back. "It's good that we can win without him but it's better when he's in the team. We miss him when he's not there," Anelka said in the Evening Standard. "We miss his physical impact and my position on the pitch is different, so I feel I have to change. "He was suspended against Porto but he will come back in the team later on in the competition." Anelka has also paid tribute to the inspirational qualities of captain John Terry, who was briefly knocked unconscious in the first half at Stamford Bridge before recovering to complete the 90 minutes. "John is a warrior," said the Frenchman. "He can play when his leg is broken. "He's our captain and wants to play every game. He gives us spirit to fight and we fight when we see him on the pitch." Anelka believes it is a major boost for the Blues to have Joe Cole back from a long-term knee injury after the England midfielder was an unused substitute on Tuesday. He said: "Joe was ready to play but I think the pitch was too heavy for him. He's going to train tomorrow and will be fully fit this weekend."

Source: SKY_Sports