22 April 2011
Carlo Ancelotti has admitted misfiring striker Fernando Torres could return in place of in-form Didier Drogba for Chelsea’s vital London derby against West Ham on Saturday.
Ancelotti’s side have been revitalised since the Italian dropped Torres and recalled Drogba, with successive wins over West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham lifting Chelsea back into the title race.
Torres has gone 893 minutes without a goal since his British record 50 million transfer from Liverpool, while Drogba’s powerful presence has helped Chelsea score six goals in their last two matches.
With Torres in the team, Chelsea slumped tamely out of the Champions League against Manchester United.
But, even though the Blues are only six points behind leaders Manchester United, Ancelotti may bring Torres back against the struggling Hammers.
“Maybe I can use some rotation to maintain the players’ freshness,” Ancelotti said on Friday.
“It wouldn’t be easy to leave Drogba out, but there’s a chance we could leave him out on Saturday.
“We started with Torres against (Manchester) City. We won the game when Didier came on.
“It might be a good solution to give him the last 30 minutes of the game because he’s fresh and fit.”
Chelsea have scored just one goal in their their last eight matches while Torres has been on the pitch.
But Ancelotti is unconcerned by statistics and he believes Torres will rediscover his form with the help of his team-mates.
“To score one goal, for him, could be the best medicine. If the players, the team-mates, help him, I’m happy,” he said.
“That means there’s a good relationship with each other in the squad.
“Everyone has to know that Fernando is the present and the future of this club. We cannot judge now the moment. He will play a lot of games for Chelsea.”
Chelsea will be expected to continue their revival against a West Ham side fighting against relegation, but Ancelotti said: “At this stage of the season, every game is difficult.
“It’s difficult to prepare, to stay concentrated, but we have to know we’ll have a tough game.
“When one teams needs the points to stay up, they will do more than 100 percent.
“For this reason, we have to be ready. It’s a very tough competition, the Premier League, so anything can happen.
“Obviously, I would like to be in United’s position, six points ahead. That’s a lot at this stage of the season.”
2010 AFP
