Drogba: Chelsea are not ready for the new season

Didier Drogba admits Chelsea's players are not fully fit and won't be ready for the start of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men looked sluggish as they lost 3-1 to Manchester United in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley.

And Ivorian striker Drogba says that his team-mates wish they had another few weeks holiday rather than start their Premier League defence against West Brom on Saturday.

"We need more time to get fully fit, but the Premier League season starts this week," said Drogba, whose Ivory Coast side were knocked out in the World Cup Group Stages.

"It's difficult because we had a long season and the players have just come back from their holidays - I only came back 10 days ago.

"We need more time but we don't have it, and we will have to find a solution.

"We will have to work hard, but the season is very long, though it is important to start well."