Chelsea forward Didier Drogba insists injuries are not to blame for the Premier League champions’ current slump in form.
The Blues have won just one of their last five league games to surrender top spot to Manchester United, and during that time they have been without the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien.
But Drogba claims the absence of such players cannot be used to cover up “the worst run of form” the club has endured since he arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004, and he admits December could prove crucial in the title race with games against Arsenal and Manchester United on the horizon.
The Ivorian said: “We are playing those teams around us in the next few weeks so this is a challenge that we have to do everything to win.
“We are glad to get November out of the way – now let’s see what December brings.
“We can’t use the players who are out as an excuse, even if they are key players.
“When you sign for Chelsea, you know you have to give your best. You know you’ve signed for the best team so you have to improve your games, especially when players like Terry, Lampard and Essien are not there.
“This is the moment when you have to show you are able to take responsibility because you know it won’t be easy.
“It’s only going to happen from us. We can’t expect people to come out and say ‘OK, we’ll change it for you’. We have to change it as players, with the manager, all of us together. We have to stay together as a team.”