Problems: Ancelotti was furious after Chelsea were
humiliated by Sunderland on Sunday
Chelsea's lead at the top of
the table has been cut to two points and all of a sudden the
problems are mounting for manager Carlo Ancelotti.
With a December fixture list featuring crunch games against
Tottenham,
Manchester United and
Arsenal, there will be no margin for error in the coming
weeks.
Sportsmail examines the growing list of issues Ancelotti is
facing as he strives to keep Chelsea on top.
Missing in action: Terry fears he could be out for
months
Just when Chelsea need the leadership qualities of their skipper
they are hit by the news that John Terry could be sidelined for
months. In his absence, who can Ancelotti turn to? Didier Drogba
wore the armband against Sunderland and although the striker has
plenty of experience, his temperament hardly lends itself to that
of on-pitch leader. Other candidates are Ashley Cole and Petr Cech
but neither have the commanding character of Terry when it comes to
delivering timely rallying cries.
Chelsea registered the smallest squad when the summer transfer
window closed - just 19 players over 21 - and were always likely to
be hardest hit in defence when the injuries began to mount up.
The loss of Terry with a nerve problem has been compounded by
yet another injury for Alex. Branislav Ivanovic has coped well
enough with a switch from right back to central defence but the
same cannot be said of Paulo Ferreira. Ancelotti speaks highly of
Jeffrey Bruma but there are concerns over his physique. Selling
Ricardo Carvalho to Real Madrid is already looking like a terrible
decision.
What are the results of the millions of pounds spent on Frank
Arnesen's youth recruitment drive? Gael Kakuta is out of contract
in the summer and there is real doubt over whether he will be
offered another. Daniel Sturridge was omitted from the squad which
lost to Sunderland and his absence smacks of a player in need of a
wake-up call. And Fabio Borini has not featured at all as he stalls
over a new deal.
Jaded: Malouda has struggled to recapture his early
season form
With Drogba only now recovering from malaria, Nicolas Anelka
looking jaded and Florent Malouda struggling to recapture his
early-season form, Ancelotti needs one of his young strikers to
step up rather than always having to rely on Salomon Kalou in his
hour of need.
Ironically, the most promising talent appears to be midfielder
Josh McEachran, 17, who has been at the club since he was eight,
long before Arnesen joined Chelsea.
Big miss: Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard
Missing since the end of August with a groin injury, Lampard
looked set to feature against Sunderland after he returned to
training with the group at the start of last week. But by the end
of the week he was in pain again. He trained yesterday with those
not on international duty but Chelsea are not prepared to risk
him.
The impact of his absence has been softened by the form of John
Mikel Obi and the return to fitness of Michael Essien. The Ghana
international was sorely missed against Sunderland after suspension
and will be again against Birmingham and Newcastle. Doubts remain
over whether Ramires has the necessary frame for the Premier League
while Zhirkov struggles to fit into a three-man midfield.
Ancelotti prides himself on his relationship with the squad so
the shock departure of Ray Wilkins will not have too great an
effect, especially given how popular the Italian is.
Ancelotti is also a coach first and foremost so training will
not have been that much different. But the ruthless manner in which
Wilkins was axed has certainly had an effect on dressing-room
morale.
Senior players were stunned when they heard how he was given his
marching orders midway through a reserve-team game. As Terry said:
'Ray was great to have around. He would always pick you up when you
were down.' A handy person to call upon after a 3-0 home defeat to
Sunderland, for example.
