Anelka: Blues can cope without Drog

23/12/2009 08:45 +0100

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is backing the Blues to maintain their title challenge without in-form striker Didier Drogba next month.

Drogba has been in blistering form for the Stamford Bridge outfit, bagging an impressive 18 goals in the first half of the season so far.

However, Chelsea will be without the Ivory Coast superstar for much of next month as he is set to link up with his international colleagues for the African Cup of Nations.

Anelka acknowledges it will be harder to keep winning with the 31-year-old marksman, however, he will endeavour to score more goals during his colleague's absence.

"When Didier was out earlier in the season, and then when we were hit with the transfer embargo, some people expected us to falter," he told The Sun.

"But we play as a team and we all want to win the Premier League and the Champions League - and if anything it helped the team spirit.

"Obviously it's better when Didier is here but I will do my very best to score the goals."

Former Bolton striker Anelka has played for numerous clubs throughout his career without really staying in one place for too long.

However, he feels settled at Stamford Bridge and says he has now settled down and enjoys playing alongside strike partner Drogba.

"When I first came here I said I want to play with Didier because I knew we'd work together," he continued.

"I play behind him and I am trying my best to give him assists plus he wants me to score as well.

"I feel more settled now than I've ever been and it shows out on the pitch."

Meanwhile, Drogba has ruled out leaving the Blues when the transfer window opens next month. The striker acknowledges there is nothing he can do to stop the rumours, but insists he is going nowhere.

"I can promise the fans I am not going to leave the club in the winter," explained Drogba.

"You will see, in January there will be a lot of rumours that Drogba is in talks with Inter or Barcelona. I am used to it.

"Only once have I admitted I wanted to leave Chelsea. It was more than two years ago after Jose Mourinho was sacked."