Ray Wilkins has defended Chelsea's £9 million payout to agents by claiming that dealing with representatives has become part and parcel of the modern game.

Figures released by the Premier League this morning revealed the Blues paid £9,562,223 to players' agents for the period October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009.

Chelsea rank second in the list behind Manchester City, who forked out over £12million to take the likes of Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott to Eastlands.

It is thought the majority of the money Chelsea spent went on securing new contracts for the likes of Didier Drogba, John Terry and John Obi Mikel.

Wilkins, now Carlo Ancelotti's assistant first team coach at Stamford Bridge, did not feel the need to have an agent throughout his 24-year playing career but accepts they have now become a prominent part of football.

"I think they are something that are in the game and have been for a long while and we have to deal with it," Wilkins said.

"The players obviously feel they are well worth having otherwise they wouldn't have them. Therefore it's something that's there and it's something that we have to get on with.

"I didn't have an agent but they are in our game and we will just cope with that situation.

"I didn't have a clue about the figures until I read them in the paper this morning. It's just something that happens in football and in all sports.

"When I was a manager I dealt with them with difficulty but it's just sitting down and having a conversation. If a player wants to sign for you then he will sign."

Didier Drogba was on target twice during the Blues' 3-0 win over Arsenal, which moved them five points clear at the top of the table.

The Ivory Coast striker came eighth in this year's Ballon d'or list, behind fellow strikers Wayne Rooney, Samuel Eto'o, Kaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the winner - Brazil and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Drogba is likely to be rested for tomorrow night's Carling Cup match with Blackburn and Wilkins believes the 31-year-old has never been in better form.

"You would have to put Didier up there at the moment with the best in the world," Wilkins said.

"The form that he's in at the moment is frightening. He's looking very strong and he's very fit and I think that's the difference at the moment, that he is very fit.

"Last year he had a couple of little problems with his knee but now he's very fit and playing some wonderful football."

Ancelotti had the luxury of having the likes of Michael Ballack, Deco and Florent Malouda on the bench at the Emirates Stadium.

Wilkins feels Ancelotti has developed a strong bond within the dressing room which he believes will be key to the Blues' chances of wrestling the title from Manchester United's grasp.

"We have a lot of talent at the club but the work ethic here is second to none and I think that's what is taking us through at the moment - how hard they are prepared to work in training and during matches," the former QPR manager said.

"It makes it very difficult for anyone to score against us when everyone is working hard. If the opposition get through to the back four everyone is putting their bodies on the line for us and if you have that happening, with the type of quality we have, then you have the chance of winning games and keeping clean sheets."

Frank Lampard, John Terry and Petr Cech were all left out in the 4-0 win over Bolton which secured the Blues' place in the last eight of the competition, and Ancelotti is likely to ring the changes for tomorrow's match.

Ashley Cole is likely to be available after shaking off a hamstring injury and Gael Kakuta may also make his first start for the club.

Wilkins denied that the club were taking the competition, which they have won twice in the last four years, lightly.

"We'd love to be in the final," he added.

"It's the first competition of the season and it's one we want to win so we will be going all out to do that."