Chelsea Manager Carlo Ancelotti Bemoans Unavailability Of Didier Drogba And Nicolas Anelka

'Carletto' unhappy to lose stars during festive period...

24-Dec-2009 2:00:18 PM

More On :  Chelsea FC, Nicolas Anelka, Carlo Ancelotti, Didier Drogba
Carlo Ancelotti - Chelsea (PA)

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is lamenting over the loss of his first-choice strikers Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

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The Ivorian is set to join his countrymen to play in the African Cup of Nations in Angola, while Anelka has been ruled out owing to a hamstring injury.

"It's not a good moment for Nicolas' injury," Ancelotti said, according to The Sun.

"He has a problem with his muscle and he's not ready to play in the next few games.

"[Daniel] Sturridge played well in the second half against West Ham [United] and maybe against Birmingham [City] he can play from the beginning and have an opportunity to show his qualities.

"We will still have 11 players on the field every match and if Didier is not here for a while I will have to put my trust in our other strikers."

'Carletto' revealed that Ivory Coast manager Vahid Halilhodzic had turned down his request to hold on to Drogba and Salomon Kalou until the game against Fulham.

"Officially the players have to go 14 days before the start of the African Nations Cup, which is January 11," he added.

"I had hoped Didier would be able to play against Fulham but I spoke to their manager and he wants all of his Premier League players on December 27.

"We cannot go against the FIFA rules. They have to leave on December 27."

Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK

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