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Leboeuf: Chelsea's AFCON Test Will Bring Out The 'Real' Ancelotti
Frenchman hopes old side stand up to winter challenge.
Dec 19, 2009 8:12:27 PM
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has expressed his concerns over how the club will handle losing some of its star players for the 2010 African Nations Cup.
Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou will all jet out to Angola next month, and Leboeuf believes that this period could make or break the Blues' Premier League campaign.
The Frenchman, who won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, also feels that Carlo Ancelotti and all his managerial nous will be laid bare for the first time in his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
“It is a real worry,” Leboeuf said in The Mirror. “That’s when we will see the real Ancelotti.
“So far everything has been going well for him. But now four key players will be off and we will see how he does.
“Also, he won’t be used to five games in such a short space of time, which is what happens in England at this time of the year. It will be a big test.
“Personally, having met him, I believe he will cope. But we don’t know. They are doing really well at the moment, but losing those four will have a huge impact.
“Manchester United are closing in and they always do well at winter time. They and Arsenal won’t suffer that kind of loss. He will have to bring in at least two new players in January.”
Mick Maguire, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou will all jet out to Angola next month, and Leboeuf believes that this period could make or break the Blues' Premier League campaign.
The Frenchman, who won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, also feels that Carlo Ancelotti and all his managerial nous will be laid bare for the first time in his tenure at Stamford Bridge.
“It is a real worry,” Leboeuf said in The Mirror. “That’s when we will see the real Ancelotti.
“So far everything has been going well for him. But now four key players will be off and we will see how he does.
“Also, he won’t be used to five games in such a short space of time, which is what happens in England at this time of the year. It will be a big test.
“Personally, having met him, I believe he will cope. But we don’t know. They are doing really well at the moment, but losing those four will have a huge impact.
“Manchester United are closing in and they always do well at winter time. They and Arsenal won’t suffer that kind of loss. He will have to bring in at least two new players in January.”
Mick Maguire, Goal.com
For more news on England, visit Goal.com's England section
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