Daniel Sturridge insists Chelsea's squad is not disunited ahead of their Champions League game against Napoli.
Andre Villas-Boas's ideas have not been embraced by all of his players and the Chelsea boss has denied Didier Drogba gave a team-talk against Birmingham.
"We are all together as one and we are not a divided unit," the 22-year-old striker told Chelsea TV.
"We are a family and we've got a good unit going. I think maybe we will see that in the next few games."
Chelsea have not won a game since 28 January and are currently on course for their worst season since owner Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.
Walter MazzarriNapoli coach“I don't want to hear anyone saying we are the favourite for this game.”
"I don't think it is a defining week for the club but hopefully we don't get in the same situation as against Birmingham where we have to come from behind," said Sturridge, referring to Saturday's 1-1 draw in the FA Cup fifth round, when the striker headed in an equaliser.
On Tuesday in their last-16 first-leg tie against Napoli, Chelsea face a Serie A side that took four points off Manchester City in two games in the competition's group stages, including an impressive 2-1 home win over Roberto Mancini's side.
"They have some great individuals, as well as a good team, but we have the same and we are not going to worry about what they have got," Sturridge added.
"We have to go out there with the attitude that they have got to worry about what we have got."
The club are currently fifth in the Premier League and, if they cannot get into the top four, Villas-Boas's side will miss out on qualification for Europe's premier tournament for 2012-13.
"We are working hard in training and the standard has risen since the last couple of games," Sturridge insisted.
"We know what we have got to do and we are not losing sight of that."
Napoli will have to do without coach Walter Mazzarri, who will serve a two-match touchline ban for pushing over Villarreal's Brazilian striker Nilmar in a touchline spat in the group stages.
Ahead of Tuesday's match, Mazzarri predicted Chelsea's European experience makes the Italian side underdogs in the last-16 tie.
"We will face a team, Chelsea, who have played more than 100 Champions League matches," said Napoli's 50-year-old coach.
"We are proud to play this match but I don't want to hear anyone saying we are the favourite for this game. We can find a result only if we play a great match.
"All the team has to play not only a special game, but the perfect game."
As part of playing the "perfect game", Mazzarri urged his side not to allow Chelsea to score an away goal.
"We have to face them in the same way - with adrenaline and proud about our history. It will be important for us that Chelsea will not score any goals at the Stadio San Paolo."
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