• Premier League

Drogba will be huge loss - Meireles

ESPN staff
December 14, 2011
Didier Drogba took part in a charity match on Tuesday © Getty Images
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Raul Meireles believes Didier Drogba is the key figure for Chelsea as they look to get their title challenge back on track, and the Portuguese summed up how big a loss the striker will be when he goes to the African Cup of Nations.

Chelsea remain seven points behind Manchester City despite their 2-1 victory over the league leaders at Stamford Bridge on Monday night but, having won their last three league games, there is hope that Andre Villas-Boas' men have recovered from their blip.

Drogba was the star performer in the recent 3-0 victories over Newcastle and Valencia, and Meireles feels that the striker's form will be the decisive factor for the Blues this season.

"Drogba is the key to this team," Meireles said in The Sun. "We need Didier and his goals. He scored twice against Valencia last week and another against Newcastle and both times he demonstrated his quality at the decisive moment.

"He'll boost our title charge. We have all spoken in the dressing room and our challenge now is to obtain every home point going until the end of the season."

Drogba is out of contract at the end of the season and his agent recently indicated that he would not remain in Europe.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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