The Ivory Coast striker was exceptional again in Chelsea's 4-1 demolition of Championship side Cardiff in the FA Cup fifth round at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Drogba put the Blues in front with his 23rd goal of the season and laid on the second for Germany captain Michael Ballack as the holders reached the quarter-finals.

The Blues were given a scare when Michael Chopra cancelled out Drogba's opener before the interval, but Chelsea's class told with second-half goals from Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and substitute Salomon Kalou.

Drogba is currently in the hunt for the 'Golden Boot' with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney but, even if he beats his adversary, the striker is already thinking about doing even better next term.

"No matter what I do this season, next year when I return my objective will be to do better than that," declared Drogba.

"If people say: 'He has had a fantastic season', I will try to do better because that's the way I am."

Chelsea's dressing room spirit has been tested on and off the pitch in recent days, by tabloid talk about the private lives of captain John Terry and left-back Ashley Cole and defeat at Everton last Wednesday night, where Cole suffered a broken ankle.

Terry missed the win over Cardiff because he was in Dubai with wife Toni following his alleged affair with French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel - the ex-girlfriend of ex-Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge.

The defender was stripped of the England captaincy by national coach Fabio Capello in the wake of the allegations of infidelity and was at fault for both of Everton's goals in the 2-1 loss, apologising to fans yesterday for his double gaff.

While Terry remains Chelsea captain with the full support of manager Carlo Ancelotti, Drogba believes the Blues have strength in numbers and leaders across the field.

He also believes the indomitable spirit of his team-mates is the envy of rival teams and inspires individuals to perform.

"We have a lot of strong characters here which is good because we challenge ourselves," said Drogba.

"Because we are all leaders, we always have to be the best - it is not easy but I think we are doing quite well.

"Personally, when I am talking about experience in the squad, I'm talking also about the confidence my mates give me.

"The togetherness of the team is amazing. No matter what happens we stick together and that's the real strength of Chelsea and I think a lot of teams want that.

"When you get closer to the end of the competitions, you start to get more excited, that's how it is.

"Each season is different and I don't know what to expect but the one thing I can say is that I will try to be there when the team will need me."

Drogba's goal against Cardiff was his fourth in as many games since his return from a disappointing African Nations Cup campaign in Angola in January, where the Ivory Coast - featuring Kalou and Drogba - were knocked out in the quarter-finals.

The 31-year-old, however, insists there is more to come.

"We didn't expect to come back so early from the tournament," he added.

"I am still not back from it properly."

Defeated Cardiff boss Dave Jones wants his side to focus on returning to their promotion chase in the Championship after giving Chelsea an almighty scare.

The Bluebirds take on West Brom on Tuesday night and Jones says the team spirit within the camp at the cash-strapped club could not be better.

"Even when they lose, they have never let me down," said Jones.

"Now I've got to pat them on the head, give them some paracetamol and say right, 'go again against West Brom on Tuesday'.

"We were a bit unlucky with the third and fourth goals - a slip and a ricochet.

"We let no-one down and we worked our socks off and for a good hour we gave Chelsea a taste of their own medicine."