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Ancelotti Not Worried About January Exodus To African Cup
Stamford Bridge squad strong enough to cope without African stars.
Dec 11, 2009 11:27:37 AM
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that the potential loss of a number of key players to the African Cup of Nations in January is not something which concerns him.
The Italian insists that there is enough depth in his squad to cope with the absence of men like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel.
Teams in the competition are also expected to call their players up for training camps just after Christmas, meaning that those stars could be away for as long as five weeks.
Essien has a hamstring injury meaning that he will probably not play for Chelsea again until after the tournament.
"The African players can all go on December 28. Michael (Essien) had a scan and I think he will be out for between three and four weeks," Ancelotti told reporters at his Friday press conference.
Ancelotti maintains that there are no plans in place for the transfer window.
"There is no news on the market in January. We have the same view as we have had in the last week – we do not, at this moment, need to have new players in January," he confirmed.
Ancelotti anticipates a tough encounter despite the Toffees' current problems.
"They have a lot of problems with injuries but they still have some good young players," he added.
The Italian insists that there is enough depth in his squad to cope with the absence of men like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel.
Teams in the competition are also expected to call their players up for training camps just after Christmas, meaning that those stars could be away for as long as five weeks.
Essien has a hamstring injury meaning that he will probably not play for Chelsea again until after the tournament.
"The African players can all go on December 28. Michael (Essien) had a scan and I think he will be out for between three and four weeks," Ancelotti told reporters at his Friday press conference.
"The aim is to work to improve his injury but I think he will be ready to go on December 28, if he stays well.
"I have no problem with the Ghana doctor coming here. If they want to come here to see Essien, there is no problem."
Chelsea have been heavily linked with Ajax forward Luis Suarez over the last week, with Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid and Everton's Jack Rodwell also reported transfer targets.Ancelotti maintains that there are no plans in place for the transfer window.
"There is no news on the market in January. We have the same view as we have had in the last week – we do not, at this moment, need to have new players in January," he confirmed.
"We have confidence in our young players – Fabio Borini, Gael Kakuta, Jeffrey Bruma and Nemanja Matic.
"Matic could not play in the Champions League but he is improving very well and very soon he will play in the first team."
Meanwhile, Chelsea welcome an injury-ravaged Everton to Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Deco will miss out because his father is ill, but Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka can expect recalls.Ancelotti anticipates a tough encounter despite the Toffees' current problems.
"They have a lot of problems with injuries but they still have some good young players," he added.
"I think they will defend and use the counter attack so we must put pressure on them to win this game."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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