Morning:
6°c
Didier Drogba says Chelsea aren't ready to begin the defence of their Premier League title and fears they won't be at their best until next month.
Chelsea slumped to their fourth pre-season defeat in a row as Manchester United capitalised on more sloppy Blues defending to beat them 3-1 in the Community Shield at Wembley.
Ten senior members of the squad began training late due to playing in this summer's World Cup, while John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien are working their way back to full match fitness after injury.
Drogba is also lacking sharpness following a hernia operation two weeks ago and although Chelsea face West Brom on Saturday he believes the champions won't be in peak condition until the end of the month at least.
He said: “The game against United showed we're not ready. We have to step up our game if we want to start the season well like we did last year.
“A lot of players have only trained for 10 days. It's too short to be fit and ready for the big competition.
“We have to improve our game, even if we're not fit, and hope that in two to three weeks time we will be better. I hope it doesn't take that long but when you come back after a short holiday it takes a minimum of two to three weeks to have good preparation and be fit physically. I know I'm not ready yet.”
Carlo Ancelotti got off to a cracking start as Chelsea coach last term with the Blues chalking up six straight League wins before losing 3-1 at Wigan.
They return to the DW Stadium a week on Saturday and host Stoke on 28 August but the international break means their next League game after that will be not until 11 September, when they go to West Ham.
Drogba said: “We need more time but the first game is on Saturday so we have to find a solution. The season is long but it's always good to start well. We didn't play well against United, we played without intensity but that's because we have been working so hard in training trying to get fit.”
At least Drogba gave the club's fans a boost by dismissing reports of a move to Manchester City and believes Chelsea will be good enough to retain the title even if they don't make any more signings this month.
He said: “Every summer there is speculation [about me] but people saw me wearing the Chelsea shirt [against United] and that is how you're going to see me this season.
“I don't know if more players will come to Chelsea. The squad is the same as last year and the quality is still there. If more come in it will be good for us and the team but if not we know we have the quality to find the solution.”
Despite Drogba's claims United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar feels Chelsea were fortunate to win the championship last term and is confident the trophy will be back at Old Trafford in May.
He said: “It was unlucky that we lost the title by a point last season. I think we played for two months at one point without eight defenders and a goalkeeper. It was unlucky that we missed out in the end, but we are all back now.
“Chelsea will be one of the main challengers because they are the holder but we want it back. We have a big and talented squad, with young and older players. I think it is the right mix to achieve that.”
Meanwhile, Ancelotti expects goalkeeper Petr Cech (calf) and centre-half Alex (thigh) to return to training this week and both could play against West Brom at Stamford Bridge.
