Chelsea news - Ancelotti wants Modric, Malouda blames defence, Carlo warns Gunners
 Carlo: Drogba will be back.
Carlo Ancelotti has fired a warning shot across Arsenal’s bow ahead of the crunch derby day on Monday December 27.
The Italian coach has declared that the Gunners will see a different Didier Drogba, and stated that the 32-year-old Ivorian’s condition has improved greatly.
Drogba has been struggling to cope with a bout of malaria, but Ancelotti is confident that his return to fitness will help the Blues’ return to form.
According to Goal.com, Ancelotti said: “I understand he has not been in a good condition. I put him in the last few games even though he was not 100 per cent because we need to have his character and his personality.
"But now his condition is better. He had a good reaction after coming on as substitute in the last game. Following the goal against Tottenham, he will show us a different Drogba in the next game.”
Malouda blames defence.
Florent Malouda has warned the Chelsea defence that they need to buck up their ideas and tighten up.
Malouda believes that the club’s recent slump has been down to shaky defending, telling The Daily Mail: “We have one of the most prolific attacks in the league, but I think the reason we have dropped is because we’re not defending so well.”
Injuries to John Terry and Alex left the champions with a somewhat makeshift defence in recent weeks, but Terry’s return has coincided with a slightly morale boosting improvement in performances.
Malouda, however, remains unequivocal in his belief that the back four needs improving, adding: “When you look at the records, we kept a lot of clean sheets at the beginning of the season and now we’re conceding goals.”
Ancelotti wants Modric.
Carlo Ancelotti could be set for a £30m raid on London rivals Tottenham for star midfielder Luka Modric in the summer.
Roman Abramovich is prepared to fund a spending spree in an effort to reclaim the champions’ dominance, and Ancelotti could be set to test Spurs’ resolve to keep their Croatian international with a hefty bid.
Modric still has two years left on his current deal at White Hart Lane, but was heavily linked with the Blues before he moved to Spurs in 2008.
Zdravko Mamic, the Dinamo Zagreb vice-president who engineered Modric’s transfer two years ago, told The Daily Mail: “I was with Ancelotti for lunch. I was very proud when I heard what he said about Modric.
“Luka is top of his list, his first pick when it comes to new signings. I am not Modric's agent - I am just his friend - but I am very proud. I don't want to say anything more because I don't want to upset my friends at Tottenham.”
Don’t forget to check out the Chelsea page, updated daily here at A Different League for the latest in-depth analysis.
James McLean is helping promote the Luol Deng Foundation. Click the link to find out how you can help.
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
Related Articles
|