Didier Drogba: Striker backs up Jose Mourinho's claim this is the greatest Chelsea side

Ivorian scored in the 5-0 win at Schalke on Tuesday night

Didier Drogba’s verdict on the growing potential of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea Mark ll echoed that of his manager after their impressive 5-0 defeat of Schalke 04 on Tuesday night: it may be lovely to look at, the proof will be in the trophies.

“I think Chelsea have the chance to say we have had great teams in terms of spirit, a machine in terms of hard work and efficiency,” said Drogba, “this one is efficient too, but, with the attacking players, the passing rate and quality of passing is higher. We have more creative players, which makes it maybe more better to look at.”

Asked about Eden Hazard, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa Drogba said: “I used to be a defender and sometimes I try to face them in training. After that I have to go to the massage room and get some treatment because they're that good.”

The Ivorian, in his second spell at the club having won three Premier League titles and the Champions League in his first, said: “In both ways, the most important thing is to win titles, so this team will only be good if this team wins titles and big trophies. Then we will be able to compare it with previous ones.

“It was a very good result for us against Schalke, especially as it was away from home and we struggled in Maribor [in the previous Champions League tie]. To win away with five goals is a great result.

“I don't know if other teams will want to play us [in the quarter-finals]. They will have to play well against us to beat us, just as we will have to to continue this campaign.”

Tuesday night was a reunion for Drogba with Roberto Di Matteo, now coach of Schalke but Chelsea manager when Drogba rolled in the penalty that won the 2012 competition. “It was a difficult game for him, he had a lot of injured players,” said Drogba. “We came and wanted to win. We did our job. It's difficult for him, but I think we have more than this result between us. It doesn't change the fact he was very important for us at Chelsea.”