Raul Meireles says Didier Drogba has been the driving force behind Chelsea's return to form and is capable of leading a title charge.
Blues midfielder admits Ivorian frontman is crucial to title challenge
Raul Meireles says Didier Drogba has been the driving force behind Chelsea's return to form and is capable of leading a title charge.
The Blues fired themselves back into the Premier League title race on Monday, with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City ending the league leaders' unbeaten start to the campaign.
Just seven points now separate Chelsea from City, with there all to play for heading into the busy festive period.
Finding form at this stage of the season is imperative if you are to challenge for major honours, and Andre Villas-Boas' side have started to click at home and abroad.
The performances of talismanic frontman Drogba have helped to drag them through a tricky domestic run and into the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
His importance to the Stamford Bridge cause has not been lost on his team-mates, with Meireles prepared to acknowledge that the Ivorian hit-man has been a class apart in recent weeks.
"Drogba is the key to this team. We need Didier and his goals," the Portugal international said in
The Sun.
Boost
"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."
Meireles was among the goals in the vital victory over City and admits that success has helped to raise spirits within the Chelsea camp and convince them that they are still contenders for the top-flight crown.
He added: "We had a wonderful nine days in beating Newcastle, Valencia and City, and fulfilled the challenge we set ourselves.
"It was essential to reduce the difference in points between ourselves and City, and also to show them they are not invincible.
"That was an excellent victory, very good for morale, although we realise there is a long way to go."
