Ray Wilkins Anticipates January Woe For Chelsea

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Ray Wilkins - Chelsea (PA)

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Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has admitted he is concerned that the club may not be able to replace key players that are heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in January due to the FIFA imposed transfer ban.

The west Londoners have been banned from any transfer activities until 2011 for their role in the signing of Gael Kakuta from RC Lens back in 2007, a decision they have since appealed to the CAS.

While a change of heart from FIFA is unlikely, Chelsea are hoping that a delayed decision will allow them to enter the transfer market in the New Year.

The likes of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel are all set to jet off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January and Wilkins admits there is natural concern in the Chelsea camp that they may not be able to sign suitable replacements in time.

"If you look at the four we will lose and you take the equivalent four out of any team in the country, then you are naturally concerned," he said, as quoted by the Press Association.

"We would not suggest for one minute we are not concerned, because they are top quality footballers - and we are going to be missing those guys.

"It would be very pleasant to be able to bring people in - because we lose some influential players in Kalou, Drogba, Essien and Mikel - but we have a squad here that is more than capable of coping with that situation.

"We are going to lose some massive footballers - but that is life. We knew the African Nations Cup was coming around and we will have to deal with it."

Wilkins went on to claim that boss Carlo Ancelotti will undoubtedly be planning ahead, whatever the decision regarding the appeal.

"I am sure Carlo's got a few names out there he would like to bring in," added Wilkins.

"But until the situation is resolved, we will just have to crack on. If the ban is lifted then all well and good."

Stephen Darwin, Goal.com UK