Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Wilkins dismisses Drogba rift

15 Jan 2009 - 07:45:57

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Chelsea's assistant manager Ray Wilkins has dismissed rumours of a fall-out between Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari and striker Didier Drogba.

Drogba was left out of the squad for the FA Cup third round replay at Southend United, which Chelsea eventually won 4-1 after falling behind to their League One hosts.

Wilkins said after that win: "That was just a selection policy of Felipe.

"We have a very big squad, some exceptional players and Felipe felt Nicolas Anelka was the man to take the field tonight.

"Whether Didier will be included at the weekend we don't know, but he is certainly a very valuable member of our staff.

"I do not know whether Felipe has met with Didier, but from what I have seen on the training pitch, it certainly does not give to the fact they are at breaking point."

Meanwhile, Wilkins hailed his side's display at Roots Hall, which came just days after a 3-0 thumping by Manchester United.

He added: "We moved the ball around well, created a lot of chances and had it not been for the Southend boys defending so valiantly, we would have got ourselves back in it a bit earlier.

"Our spirit has been fantastic and you could see that with the way they played tonight.

"The atmosphere around the place was that we really wanted to put Sunday right and we did that."