London, Dec. 23 (ANI): Chelsea will not fold up if Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is not there, claims Nicholas Anelka.

Anelka further said that he is ready to take the strain in the absence of Drogba.Chelsea’s deadly duo has banged in 26 goals this season.

But Drogba has just two matches left before he leaves for the African Nations Cup next week - disrupting the link they have forged.

According to The Sun, the Ivory Coast hit man could be away for up to a month in Angola along with Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou.

But French ace Anelka insists he is the man to keep the table-topping Blues on course for the title.

Anelka has bagged 30 goals in 101 games, including eight so far this season, since a 15-million-pound move from Bolton almost two years ago.

His form has earned him the Sportsman of the Year gong at the Francais of the Year awards - which celebrate French people who work in the UK - ahead of Arsenal’s Gael Clichy and Manchester United’s Patrice Evra. (ANI)