No stand-in role for Anelka

17 September 2009 14:20
Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka wants to shrug off the label of Didier Drogba's substitute as he sets his sights on a Barclays Premier League and Champions League double. Anelka admits Carlo Ancelotti's side miss Drogba when he is absent - he is suspended for two more Champions League games and will go to the African Nations in January - and the Frenchman feels he is not a like-for-like replacement. "What we want to do this season is win the league and Champions League," he said. "We will try to do it." Anelka added: "It's good that we can win without Didier but it's better when he's in the team. We miss him when he's not there. "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." Ancelotti has won Europe's top prize with AC Milan, while Anelka won it with Real Madrid and Chelsea's former Porto players lifted the trophy under Jose Mourinho. After losing on penalties in the final two years ago, there is a real determination to do well this season, starting with getting out of Group D. "A few people said at the beginning it was easy but Atletico Madrid are a strong team. It's a tough group," midfielder Frank Lampard said. Next for Chelsea is Tottenham on Sunday. "We have a strong team, big players and a big spirit, hopefully we will do it again and again," Anelka added. It will be a tough game, they have played very well with Harry Redknapp as a manager. It is a derby so I think it will be tough."

Source: Eurosport