Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted Nicolas Anelka was just as crucial to the Chelsea cause despite Didier Drogba scoring in their 2-1 win over FC Cluj.

Drogba's late goal edged his side into the last 16 of the Champions League.

"Don't forget we arrived in this position, and second in the Premier League, because our scorer is Anelka," Scolari said at Stamford Bridge.

"Drogba is very important, one of the best in the world, but I need to think about Anelka. He is as important."

The Frenchman is Chelsea's leading scorer this season with 15 goals, 13 of which have come in the Premier League, where he is five clear in the scoring charts.

He and Drogba have only started two games together since Anelka arrived at Stamford Bridge from Bolton last January, and Scolari admits he is still undecided about whether to use them as a pair.

"It is my job to either put the two strikers together, or to choose which player is better for Chelsea," Scolari added.


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"Everyone knows that Drogba didn't have a pre-season. After that, when he did start, he got injured. Then another start, and another injury. Then his punishment (a three-match ban for throwing a coin into the crowd against Burnley).

"Now he is starting again, it is time. What can I do?"

While Scolari refused to go overboard about Drogba's impact, Blues captain John Terry was more than happy to lavish praise on the returning striker, whose only other goal this season was against Burnley in the Carling Cup.

"It's a great boost to have him back and it was a great goal from him as well. He can hold the ball up but he can play as well," said the England captain.

"Put it into his feet and he can spin a man and he can score some great goals. He's a great dimension for our team and it's a great boost to have him back.

"His fitness is there, he's delighted and we're well pleased with him."


All of my players are important, not only one player

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari
Chelsea go through to the last 16 as a group runner-up but Scolari was bullish about their prospects in the draw for the knockout stages, which takes place on 19 December.

The London side could face some of Europe's biggest clubs, but Scolari insisted: "For me it is no different if we play against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, any team, because they are all the best.

"If we want to arrive in the final, we have to beat A, B and C."

Yssouf Kone's equaliser, after Salomon Kalou had given the hosts the lead, gave the hosts a few nervy moments on Tuesday but with rivals Bordeaux unable to better their result away to Roma, Chelsea were always in control of their own destiny.

"I had confidence we would win but at 1-1 it is normal that me, my players and maybe some people in the stadium are nervous," added Scolari.

"We had more of the ball but there was not a big difference between the teams. We didn't play very well, we played OK, but they have the spirit I want in my team.

"All of my players are important, not only one player."

Terry had the chance to win last season's Champions League final for Chelsea, but lost his footing and missed what would have been the tournament-winning penalty against Manchester United.

"If we want to go all the way again then we have to up our game," he said.

"Things haven't been clicking but let's not get too panicky. We are second in the Premier League and in the knockout stages of the Champions League."

from bbc football