Playmaker Juan Mata believes Chelsea have failed to recover following the departure of their former star striker Didier Drogba.
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Ivory Coast international Drogba moved to Shanghai Shenhua in the off-season soon after helping the Blues to a historic Champions League title.
And Mata believes they have struggled to fill the void left by the powerful frontman.
In an interview with French magazine So Foot, Mata said: "Drogba's departure was like an electric shock for us. He was a warrior.
"We've had to learn to cope without him because for many long years he was Chelsea's lightning conductor.
"With Drogba we were conditioned to play in a certain way."
Fernando Torres has been widely criticised for failing to step up to the plate in Drogba's absence, but Spanish midfielder Mata believes it is up to the team to adapt to his different style.
"His runs aren't the same," said Mata. "He's not a funnel for our play like Drogba could be.
"He doesn't like the holding-it-up role. He prefers finding space and facing the goal.
"For me, he is still one of the best strikers in the world."
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