Drogba urged not to worry about early missed chances

CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho has told Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba not to fret over the two chances he wasted at St Andrews.

Said Mourinho: “His time will come. He could hide in the penalty area and just wait for a mistake, but like the others he is fighting for the team and making space for people.”

Even so, Drogba could be rested on against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park tonight with Serbian striker Mateja Kezman pressing for his first start.

Celestine Babayaro looks set to replace Wayne Bridge at left-back with the England international hit by a calf strain again. Damien Duff may also figure, having proved his fitness after a dislocated shoulder with Ireland, along with Scott Parker.

Mourinho said: “I will change some players because this game is so close to the last one. Some players accept it and are better for it.”

Mourinho also insisted his Chelsea side can be the one to end England’s trophy famine in Europe.

Mourinho, whose Porto side won last season’s Champions League said: “You must stop and ask yourself why English teams are not successful when they go abroad and don’t win UEFA competitions any more - and why England, with top managers and top players, do not win World Cups and European Championships.

“Spanish teams, Italian teams and Portuguese teams can win the Champions League but why were Manchester United the last ones from England to do it in 1999 when everything is great here? I don’t think I have to answer that question but people from this country should. I think, one day, it will be possible, though, for this Chelsea team to do it. One day.

“We can improve our quality of play but at the moment we are looking at a seven-week-old baby with half the players new and a new manager.”