Luiz Felipe Scolari has dropped Didier Drogba from the Chelsea squad for tonight's FA Cup tie against Southend United, a match he has described as “the game of the year”.

The Ivory Coast striker has not travelled with the squad after the Chelsea manager warned his players he would no longer tolerate poor performances. Nicolas Anelka is expected to start against Southend with Drogba left behind in London.

“I have looked at many games with Anelka and I have looked at the last few games with Didier,’’ Scolari said. “When I have given four or five chances then there is no room for questions.

"All the players have had their chance. I have given every player at least five or six games to impress."

Scolari, meanwhile, dismissed the idea of starting Anelka and Drogba in tandem because “we can lose the ball [in midfield] with two up front”.

“In the last five games we play at 50 per cent of our potential. Now we will start with one team against Southend United, and maybe I will start with the same team against Stoke City. But I need answers from the players. I will give them their chance and I need answers."