Former Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari felt the two strikers were too similar and unable to form an effective partnership, while Drogba has struggled with injuries this season.

But the statistics speak for themselves as they have started three matches together, won all three and scored five goals between them.

New boss Guus Hiddink certainly appears to be an admirer as the duo have been on the pitch from the start in the last two matches, wins at Watford and Aston Villa - even if the Dutchman was not officially in charge for the FA Cup tie at Vicarage Road.

Anelka, in particular, has been in superb form, scoring four goals in those two games to take his tally to 21 for the season, and looking far from out of place in tandem with Drogba.

"Nico's finish was sublime," said Lampard of the Frenchman's winner at Villa Park on Saturday that helped Chelsea leapfrog Martin O'Neill's side into third place in the Barclays Premier League.

"He's a huge weapon, and we saw Didier looking like the player we know he can be.

"But, with Nico coming in off the left side and floating in, he was dangerous. He can pick the ball up and hurt people, so all of a sudden we've (got) options.

"Credit to Nico, he's proven himself to be a world-class goalscorer - and he is certainly showing that this season."

But when pressed on whether he felt more of a killer instinct was needed, Lampard replied: "Agreed.

"We've certainly needed far too many chances to score goals, and against Villa it was a little bit the same.

"But if you work hard, play with the commitment and spirit we did, then you make your own luck and things will come for us.

"Against Villa, we got the goal and held on but, at other times, with the pace and dangers we have in our team, we'll score more goals."

Chelsea will certainly need to be at their sharpest for Wednesday's visit of former Blues boss Claudio Ranieri's Juventus to Stamford Bridge.

Lampard concedes he still 'loves the man', and the two games "will be very special."

Although Ranieri also remains a popular figure with Chelsea fans, there will be no love lost over the two legs of the Champions League last-16 tie.

It is why Lampard is happy enough Chelsea are heading into the game with renewed confidence and in the right direction in the wake of Hiddink's arrival.

"The win over Villa has set us up for this game and given us the lift we need," confirmed Lampard.

"With the way we played against Villa, it can only give us a boost, and for the fans.

"We need that against Juventus, especially in the home tie. It's imperative we get the right result to take over there.

"So we need to start and play in the same vein as we did at Villa Park.

"We need to hold the ball, keep it off them and move it quickly because Italian teams can get men behind the ball and defensively they can be very frustrating.

"So if you take your time on the ball then we won't be able to break them down but, if we move it quickly, then we can be a danger, as you saw against Villa."