Raul Meireles has praised Chelsea team-mate Didier Drogba and believes his goals are the key to the Blues mounting a successful Premier League title challenge.
Meireles scored the equaliser in the 2-1 win against Manchester City on Monday, but previously it has been Drogba scoring the goals, with the Ivorian netting twice in the crucial Champions League game against Valencia and once more against Newcastle the following weekend.
The return of the striker to the starting lineup has coincided with Chelsea’s up-turn in form following disappointing losses in all three competitions which they were competing in.
The Ivory Coast international is out of contract at the end of the season and is reportedly interesting Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua, who have signed Nicolas Anelka.
But Meireles is adamant that the 33-year-old should resist any temptations to leave the club and stay at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future.
“Drogba is the key to this team. We need Didier and his goals,” he told The Sun.
“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.
“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.”
Meireles also had words of praise for Juan Mata, adding: “Juan is the king of assists. I am convinced by the end of the season he will become one of the best players in the Premier League.”
On his own future, Drogba himself said: “My future’s not the most important thing right now, the most important thing is to get the team back to the right level.
“At the opportune moment, we’ll talk about my future, no problem.
“You need to be playing to be in form, to have confidence and to get your bearings. I didn’t have them at the beginning of the season, because I was playing, then I stopped, then I got injured.
“I knew full well if I had more playing time, a bit of continuity, little by little I would have more chance of getting back to my best.
“When my team-mates put me in a good position it’s already a lot easier.”