Chelsea FC News

CARLO ANCELOTTI expects to be boosted by the return of Nicolas Anelka when Chelsea face Watford on Sunday.
The Blues will be without strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, who are both on international duty, as they begin their defence of the FA Cup.

But Ancelotti has revealed Anelka is ready to fill the void up front after recovering from a hamstring tear.

He said: “Anelka will be ready to return to the squad for the Watford game.

“Tomorrow he will train with us, he recovered very well.

“We have to look at him during this day and if there is not a risk, he will play.”

Chelsea lifted the FA Cup in May by coming from behind to defeat Everton at Wembley.

And Ancelotti insists keeping hold of the trophy is one of his priorities.

The Blues boss added: “I know the FA Cup is a very important competition in England.

“Because of this, I want to put out the best team possible against Watford.”

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has thrown the gauntlet down to Jose Mourinho and Inter, confident his side will prevail in their Champions League last 16 double header.

“We are ready to beat Mourinho and Inter,” the former Milan coach told Il Corriere Dello Sport-Stadio.

“I would have preferred another opponent. I don’t think it was a good draw for anyone.”

The Reggiolo coach measured Chelsea’s chances of glory in Europe and he believes the team is built for the Champions League – a trophy he won twice with Milan.

“The team has everything to deliver the club’s objectives, we have the right age and a competitive squad, just like I had at Milan.”

With his heart and mind set on Europe, Ancelotti has told Inter they must settle for the Scudetto as he keeps an eye on Serie A.

“I think they are capable of winning the title. As for Milan, Leonardo has done well,” he concluded.

Goal.com

Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that Chelsea  erred by parting ways with former manager Jose Mourinho, who has been heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League.

The ‘Special One’ was partly responsible for the transformation at west London, which saw the club catapulted to superpower status in England and Europe.

Presently, Wright believes Manchester United could capitalise on the Mourinho’s situation.

In a column for The Sun, Wright said: “I believe Chelsea made a big mistake when they booted Jose out of Stamford Bridge two years ago.”

“He could have become the Alex Ferguson of London, creating his very own dynasty at the club and winning trophies year after year.

“But the egos of Mourinho and Roman Abramovich got in the way and Chelsea have been paying the price ever since.

“Now United could be one of the clubs that capitalise on that mistake by appointing Jose as Alex Ferguson’s Old Trafford successor.

“What a sensational move that would be.

“It would be just like Don Corleone handing over the family business to Michael.”