Ancelotti Limits Window Shopping

[joshuafan 1]

Carlo Ancelotti is not repeating last season's pledge should Chelsea sign a player in the January transfer window.

The bet with reporters back then, that he would run naked around the Cobham training ground if proved wrong, was a way to diffuse speculation about potential targets, and indeed no-one was added to a squad midway through a Double-winning campaign.

However injury, specifically in defence, means that 12 months on the Chelsea manager wishes to keep his options open.

'This year it could be different,' Ancelotti admits. 'We have a question mark over a player out injured. Alex has a problem on his knee. If by 31 January we are sure that Alex is okay then definitely we don't need to have another defender.'

The Brazilian central defender underwent surgery a month ago and his condition is being closely monitored. Should it not be good towards the end of next month then signing a new defender might be considered. No new midfielders nor strikers are sought.

However with Frank Lampard expected to return to the starting line-up for the first time in four months tonight at Arsenal, it is time to dust down the old cliché about just like signing a new player.

'Lampard is fit and excited about starting and he will be very important,' Ancelotti reports.

'It is very important to have his support up front in our attacking play, his support without the ball. This increases our possibility to score.

'It is very difficult to find this type of player with this ability. Lampard has experience, personality, character and is a fantastic professional player.'

Having said all that, the manager doesn't wish to burden his returning vice-captain with unrealistic demands.

'I am not expecting some special things, just what he is able to do. His injury was not so simple to resolve so we took time with him. We didn't take a risk and his condition is very good. He is the player with the best condition at this moment.

'He had need for 12 to 14 weeks' recovery time. I do not know after over three months whether he will be able to find the right time on the ball but it doesn't matter, his performance will be great for the other players.

'Every player has different skill and different ability. John Mikel Obi is not able to score but is fantastic defensively and Ramires is the same. Michael Essien has his skill to score from outside the box but he was out for one month and in the last month his condition was not so good. Now he has used this time to improve and maybe Essien can now support the team in attack.

'But in the market there are no players capable of replacing Lampard.'

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2252023,00.html

[LDN Blue 7,903]

A central defender is a must. With Carlo proving he does not trust Bruma he needs to buy at least 1 defender.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

A new centre back and a striker is a must in my opinion, we just simply do not function without Didier Drogba!

I suddenly have faith in Turnbull again so we're doing okay on the goalkeeping front.

[Madmax 9,219]

Meh.

Need a creative midfielder more than anything. Tired of seeing us linked with strikers/centre-backs. I don't expect us to make signings in the next month though.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I won't be surprised if we loan out Bruma and we sign nobody.

[BLionheart 516]

fuckin attacking midfielder or a winger is the player we need !! the defence was never the main problem but it was having possession and not knowing what to do next ...??!

[Term-X 7,891]

Pastore or Hamisk FTW.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Ashley Young anyone?

[BLionheart 516]

Pastore or Hamisk FTW.

will fit in like a hand in a glove .... but seems very unlikely

[eldo 868]

We signed Kakuta.

[Kostas 1,468]

We'll buy a defender. We love buying defenders!

[Peace. 4,352]

Ashley Young anyone?

Yeah ! He wouldn't be my first choice, but it's a good idea, he's english and we know he fits the EPL.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Yeah ! He wouldn't be my first choice, but it's a good idea, he's english and we know he fits the EPL.

exactly. But there's no chance it'll happen :\

[Swoopz 183]

exactly. But there's no chance it'll happen :\

Tottenheim dont seem to think so.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Tottenheim dont seem to think so.

For us I meant. We won't go for him.

[Laylabelle 9,359]

Never mind window shopping just shop for who we need!

[Ollie 4,400]

It's like we have a poor owner who has no money and is worried he may be living on the streets soon.

Ashley Young would be a brilliant signing, he hates it at Villa, i can tell with his body language at times. Seems like a 1 man team at times there, he tries so hard but has shit all around him. He has a feisty side too that all teams need. Ashley young, Kaka, we're sorted. Or get Diego for cheaper. We need a winger and an attacking/creative midfielder desperately.

Anelka is not a winger

Kalou is not a footballer

Ramires is not suited for the premiership

Mikel is shit

[Rambo 1,729]

Mikel is shit