Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti believes his side are
still on track to win the Barclays Premier League title despite
their alarming mid-season wobble.
The Blues have won just one of their last five league games, and
one in seven in all competitions, following Boxing Day's goalless
draw at in-form Birmingham, with defending champions Manchester
United chasing them in second place.
Ancelotti's side face a tough derby against local rivals Fulham
on Monday under pressure to take three points before the departure
of three key players to the African Nations Cup, but the Italian
coach insists his team's current form is not "a big problem".
"It's not our best moment; one victory in seven is not good for
us," he admitted.
"I don't see a big problem though. I think we have some
problems, because we have two players out who are very good in
Nicolas Anelka and Michael Essien and we don't always play well.
But not against Birmingham - in this match I think we played good
football.
"Our aim is to win the title and we are at the top of the table
at the moment. This was the half-way point in the season and we're
top so that's good for us."
As for whether Chelsea can hold on and be top by the time the
season ends in May, Ancelotti added: "We hope to be.
"If we do a good job and work hard like we have until now, then
I think we can win it.
"It's normal, I think. In our mind it is impossible to win the
title in December. You have to win the title in May and you have to
be ready in May because I think it will be a long race right until
the end of the season."
A difficult afternoon for Chelsea at Birmingham - during which
the hosts could have snatched a win had Christian Benitez's
first-half effort not harshly been disallowed for offside - was
compounded by the late dismissal of Florent Malouda for a second
booking.
Ancelotti remains unconcerned about the subsequent suspension,
however, despite also being without another attacker in Anelka.
"We will put other players in on Monday against Fulham, it's not
a problem," he said. "There's no Malouda but there are other
players."
Ancelotti believes his side's festive fixtures may be harder
than meets the eye.
"Birmingham and Fulham, at this moment, are in very good
condition and I expect a tough game on Monday for sure, just like
today," he continued.
"Anelka and Essien are important players for us because they
have a lot of quality but they are out and we have to find other
solutions.
"I think we have a very good squad and we will find a different
solution."
While it is traditional for managers to complain of fixture
congestion at this time of year, Ancelotti - who is currently
enjoying his first English winter - has no real problem with the
games coming thick and fast.
He added: "It is not easy to prepare for a game every two or
three days but it is not only our problem, it is a problem for
every team. So we are all in the same situation."
The Blues chief has been boosted by the unexpected availability
of Ivory Coast duo Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou and Nigeria
midfielder John Obi Mikel for tomorrow's match after the trio's
respective national teams allowed them to play before travelling to
the African Nations Cup.
"Drogba and Kalou will also play against Fulham and join their
national team on December 29," revealed Ancelotti.
"We asked their national team and the coach and he agreed with
us that they could stay.
"Anelka cannot play against Fulham but he will play the first
game in the new year."
As well as the suspended Malouda and injured Anelka (muscular)
and Essien (hamstring), Ancelotti will be without Jose Bosingwa
(knee) again while Deco is unlikely to be fit.