Juan Mata admits losing Didier Drogba has hurt Chelsea like an "electric shock". The midfielder says Drogba's absence is being felt in every game.

The Blues playmaker told So Foot: "Drogba's departure was like an electric shock for us. He was a warrior.

"We've had to learn to cope without him because for many long years he was Chelsea's lightning conductor.

"With Drogba we were conditioned to play in a certain way. You gave him the ball and you knew that he would at least force the opponent into a foul.

"In a way we had a tendency to rely on him too much but it was a natural mechanism. All the great players like getting the ball, Didier even more so.

"With Fernando it's different. His runs aren't the same. He's not a funnel for our play like Drogba could be.

"He doesn't like the holding-it-up role. He prefers finding space and facing the goal."