Frank Lampard expressed the belief yesterday that Didier Drogba's goals could win the Barclays Premier League title for Chelsea, although if he does pull off what would be a remarkable achievement, it is likely to be no more than a parting gift. The Ivory Coast striker remains determined to leave Stamford Bridge despite recent evidence of the team's competitiveness under Avram Grant.

Drogba reached an agreement with the club on returning from the African Cup of Nations last month that he would not comment on his future until the end of the season, although his silence does not equate to renewed satisfaction. The 30-year-old has kept his word, ending the almost daily bulletins of distress in the French press, but he has told friends that nothing has changed and he still wishes to leave.

After four years in England, Drogba is in search of a new challenge and is acutely aware that this summer may present his last opportunity to find one with a leading European club. AC Milan and Real Madrid expressed interest last summer and are likely to do so again, while wherever José Mourinho ends up will provide another possible destination as the Portuguese would love to be reunited with a player whom he signed for £24million from Marseilles in 2004.

Drogba will formally outline his wish to leave in a meeting with Chelsea's board at the end of the season. Having given the forward a new five-year contract worth £100,000 a week last season, there appears little that Chelsea can do to change his mind, while, in Nicolas Anelka, they have a ready-made replacement.

Grant showed signs of frustration with Drogba by remarking that it was “about time” he demonstrated his skills as a match-winner after his two second-half goals helped to defeat Arsenal 2-1 on Sunday. Lampard was more sympathetic to the plight of a player who has been operating below his best since having knee surgery in December, followed by the draining experience of the African Cup of Nations.

“We all need our big players and Didier is one of our big players, because of the goals he can score as a striker,” Lampard said. “We know what Didier is and when he plays he's the best in the world. I don't care who else you want to put against him - he's the best for me and he showed that against Arsenal.

“You always know, when you've got Didier in the team, he's going to be a big threat to teams. Even if he's not scoring the winning goals, he was always a big threat and a powerhouse. It was Didier at his best. Arsenal have got two of probably the best centre halves in the Premier League, if not the world, against him and he's given them a horrible afternoon. When Didier's like that, he's got the lot.”

Lampard was rather less forthcoming when asked to lavish praise on Grant, refusing to condemn the supporters who barracked the Chelsea first-team coach with shouts of “You don't know what you're doing” as he made his substitutions. Michael Ballack, the midfield player who was replaced with his side trailing 1-0 with 20 minutes remaining, appeared to share those fans' disgust, storming down the tunnel and refusing to shake Grant's hand after being withdrawn.

“The fans are emotional, so they call it as they see it,” Lampard said, “but, at the end of the day, we're there trying to get results and that's a side issue.

“What matters is the players and the subs that came on did very well and we turned the game around, so it's not worth dwelling on things like that. Listen, the fans are behind the team and behind the group and they want to be successful and they want to win games, so I just think we shouldn't make a big deal out of it.”