Scolari: Drogba was not made a scapegoat

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI has denied Didier Drogba was victimised for their defeat against Manchester United.

The Ivorian striker was axed from the squad which beat Southend 4-1 in their FA Cup third-round replay but is back in Scolari’s plans for today’s clash against Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

The Brazilian coach refused to say whether Nicolas Anelka or Drogba would start as the main striker but insisted that the Ivory Coast international, who did not even travel with the squad for the cup tie, was not being made a scapegoat for the United debacle.

Instead, Scolari claimed that he had been the biggest victim of their Old Trafford mauling, not his players.

“Didier is not being made a scapegoat,” declared Scolari. “The reason he was left out was because it was an option for me. I put this player or that player in the team.

“My job here is to choose 11 players and the job for the players is to play. Finish. I am a victim. I lost 3-0 against United. I and the club. No player is more of a victim than me and the club.

“It is difficult for me because both Nicolas and Didier are very good players but I pick the player I believe is better for Chelsea.’’

Chelsea are without Deco and Joe Cole for the clash with Stoke but defender Ricardo Carvalho is fit.

Cole, who sustained a knee injury in the FA Cup win over Southend, has undergone a series of scans but Chelsea will not learn the full extent of the damage until more tests have been carried out.

Scolari left Carvalho out of the team on Wednesday night on doctor’s orders.

“Carvalho is in now in good condition,” said Scolari. “He had a problem in his calf. The doctor said to me it was a risk to play him and that I could have lost him for one or two months. If it is a risk, I don’t play him. Not just him but any player.”

Chelsea have again been concentrating on set-pieces after conceding another simple goal against Southend.

Their defensive lapses have been criticised by Scolari in recent weeks and the side will return to a combination of zonal and man-to-man marking against City.

Stoke possess a unique threat in long-throws from Rory Delap and such was Scolari’s concern that he described relegation-haunted Stoke, in his customary Brazilian humour, as ‘‘the most dangerous side in the world’’.

“If you look at their statistics, they’ve scored 18 goals and 11 have been from corners, free-kicks or throw-ins. Tomorrow will be a very good test for us.’’

Chelsea, know they must win today if they are to remain in the title hunt and Frank Lampard, who will make his 400th Chelsea appearance today, admits they could still have been top had they defended better and beaten teams at home.

“We are looking to be top again,” said Lampard. “Man United was a bad result but you can go there and lose a game because they are a top team.

“If we had gained points against Fulham away and West Ham and Newcastle at home, games we should have won, we could have lost to all the big teams this season and still been a couple of points clear. That is the reality.’’

Meanwhile Stoke midfielder Liam Lawrence is desperate to restart his top-flight career.

Lawrence, 27, has been on the bench for the last four matches after recovering from an ankle injury.

He spent three months on the sidelines after falling over his dog and down a flight of stairs.

Now he is keen to show his pedigree, starting at Chelsea today, after helping Stoke win promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship.

He said: “It has been one of the worst parts of my career, being out for months when I should be playing in the Premier League. It has been hard to swallow but I will be stronger for it.’’

With striker James Beattie and midfielder Matthew Etherington both arriving in the transfer window, Lawrence is excited about the future.

Beattie is expected to make his Potters debut after moving in midweek from Sheffield United, where he scored 12 goals this season.

Lawrence said: “We have more attacking options and that will stand us in good stead until the end of season.

“Beattie looked fantastic when we did some shooting drills in training and hopefully he will do the business for us.’’