John Terry last night acknowledged that Chelsea are "not clicking" and will have to significantly improve on their current form if the club is to progress further in the Champions League this season. Luiz Felipe Scolari's side reached the last 16 with victory over Cluj here but Chelsea's performance was far from convincing as they toiled for long periods and required the introduction of Didier Drogba from the bench to ease the mounting tension.
The Ivorian, who was making his first appearance since serving a three-match domestic ban for hurling a coin towards Burnley supporters in last month's Carling Cup defeat, scored six minutes after replacing Salomon Kalou to restore Chelsea's lead. It was a wonderful goal, with Drogba showing sublime control and a clinical touch to take Joe Cole's pass in his path before prodding under Nuno Claro. Relief swept through Stamford Bridge.
Terry, however, made no attempt to paper over the cracks, the England captain admitting Chelsea are not playing with the same confidence that characterised their form in the early part of the season. "If we want to go all the way again we will have to improve," said the central defender. "We have to up our game. Things have not been clicking but let's not panic. The fans know we have a lot more to give in this competition and the Premier League. Hopefully that will come sooner rather than later."
Scolari claimed beforehand that he was "under no pressure" but his body language and frantic gesturing on the touchline suggested he was feeling as tense as the Chelsea fans, even before Yssouf Koné headed in at the far post to bring Cluj parity in the 55th minute.
Kalou had earlier given Chelsea the lead but his goal had come five minutes before the end of an uninspiring first half when chances were at a premium. Alex headed over in the 12th minute and Joe Cole, who was returning from injury, later drilled wide of the near upright but Chelsea's build-up was prosaic and lacked penetration. "We played well, but not very well," claimed Scolari.
The Brazilian admitted that there was "no huge difference on the night" between Cluj and Chelsea, a revealing assessment given that the Romanian club have finished bottom of Group A and that their most expensive player, the goalscorer Koné, cost £750,000. Nonetheless, Scolari insisted he was pleased to progress. "I needed to get to the next phase," he said. "We have two chances to get there and we came second in the group and I am happy about that."
The Chelsea manager was able to take encouragement from the return of Drogba although he made a point of singling out Nicolas Anelka's contribution this season in the Ivorian's absence. "It's important for me to keep Drogba fit for the rest of the season because he is a big player and it means we can change the system," he said, alluding to the possibility of playing with two strikers. "I pray to God that I don't have any more injuries because it means I can pair Anelka and Drogba. [But] it's Anelka who has scored the goals which have put us second in the Premier League."
Chelsea will not find out their opponents in the next round until Friday week but, as a result of finishing in the runners-up spot, they could face Barcelona, a familiar Champions League foe. Not that Scolari is fazed by the challenges ahead. "We are second and if we had one more point it would be first but now we have to wait for the draw. I am happy to play anyone and, for me, it's no difference if we play Barcelona, Real Madrid or Inter because if we want to get to the final we have play any of them anyway."