Not since Harry Kewell and Zeljko Kalac were mixing it at Liverpool and AC Milan has an Australian shared a dressing room with players from the absolute top tier of world football, but Griffiths has found himself in the right place at the right time to do just that.

Anelka joined Griffiths in China at the start of the year but Drogba hung around at Chelsea long enough to win the UEFA Champions League before making the switch last month.

As the icing on the cake, Griffiths got to face off against Rio Ferdinand when Manchester United visited on their recent pre-season tour but it has been the experience of sharing a pitch with the former Blues strike pair that has thrilled the former Newcastle Jets star.

“Anelka and Drogba are amazing players that can change a game in a blink of an eye,” Griffiths told au.fourfourtwo.com. “They can read the game so well. Just watching them train and being able to pick their brains is priceless for me personally.

“Knowing that they are on the field you have a sense of confidence where you can give them the ball and you know they will find you, hold it up or create space for you and they are always aware of where you are.

"Even before they receive the ball they know where they are passing next. They are class.

“Didi has tried to explain how he gets that dip from his free kick, but I know if I try to attempt it I will probably be out for another two months!”

Drogba's arrival has coincided with a return to the pitch for Griffiths after a two-month injury lay-off, the longest of his 14-year professional career.

New manager Sergio Batista is easing the former Johnny Warren Medal winner back into action from the bench but he still managed to tap in the final goal from an Anelka pass in a 5-1 romp over Hangzhou Greentown before getting a promising 45-minute stint in the 0-0 draw with Tianjin Teda.

He's now eyeing a regular starting berth, though he concedes he might face stiff competition for his preferred role up front.

“It has been a frustrating season thus far only because of the injury I've had, but that aside, I'm nearly back to full fitness and happy again,” Griffiths said. “Things are looking bright for the club and we are playing with a sense of freedom.

“I have to be happy playing out on the right or left flank as we have two strikers in my position, someone called Drogba and Anelka- not sure if you have heard of them...”

So what is it like scoring a goal from an Anelka pass and sharing a dressing room with Drogba?

“I probably didn't think about it too much that Anelka assisted me in the goal because it happened so fast and all you care about is winning the game,” Griffiths said. “It's when you see photos or video, that's cool.

“At first everybody was starstruck (by Drogba) including me but getting to know him now he is just one of the boys, with a big salary...hah.

“I try and help Didi (settle in) as I did with Nico at the beginning. We get along really well, we have a laugh but when we leave training we all have our own lives.

“Didi has been massive for us both on and off the field. He has this persona about him, like he knows and thinks he's the best but doesn't say it. You feel it in the way he walks and talks.

“Whereas Anelka is quiet, doesn't like attention, goes about his business in a different manner. He would rather pass than score.

“Drogba is in no way here for a holiday. He still wants to win things. It's a challenge for him but it's a challenge he wants to succeed at.”

Griffiths shared a training ground anecdote that put into context the exorbitant money on offer for the game's top earners.

“We were practising fre kicks a couple of weeks back and I was told not to use my right foot by the doctor here so I was only using my left.

"I was first up. It felt great off the foot, top left hand corner. Goalie didn't even move.

“Nico looks at me and said 'oh it's like that is it? Can you do it with pressure?'. I said 'what do you think?'. He then added 'I will give you my Aston Martin if you can do that again'.

“We shook on it. He was dead serious. I'm not going to tell you the rest except I'm not driving an Aston Martin.”

Griffiths said he is concentrating on getting back to his best on the pitch, but in the back of his mind is the fact his deal runs out at the end of the year.

The 32-year-old has not ruled out a return to the A-League and plans to make a decision on his future in early October.