Didier Drogba is still to be won over by new Chelsea coach Avram Grant.

After victory at Valencia, the African striker attributed the win to the team's quality and spirit, crediting Jose Mourinho for creating that, while neglecting even to mention Grant by name.

"We did it last year with Jose," said Drogba. "You know, people will say we don't need him, but the quality we have is the same quality we have last year, two years ago, three years ago. The man we all respected is gone and now there is someone else coming, but the players are the same. So I don't know why the quality will go like this.

"Everybody knows what Jose did for me. Not only for me, for all the players he brought here and all the players who were there when he arrived. That was a difficult period for us but now the best thing to do is to keep playing like this. If we played bad like we did the last few games I don't think he would be happy in front of his TV."

Asked if observers would be wrong to conclude that the team did not need Mourinho because they'd defeated Valencia without him, Ashley Cole also replied: "I think so. That's just what people think."