Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Didier Drogba will start the FA Cup Fourth round replay clash with Everton
There were rumors that Didier Drogba was unhappy after he was dropped to the bench in Chelsea's draw with Fulham last week to accommodate Fernando Torres on the team. However, Ancelotti insists that it was a tactical decision and Drogba will start the match against Everton.
"Drogba will start," said Ancelotti. "I don't know about Nicolas Anelka, but I have to start with Drogba. It is never an easy decision to leave players out, but Didier has shown a very good reaction. He has trained well, with motivation, and he wants to play a good game tomorrow.
"From what I have seen, he's the same Didier - focusing on training and working hard with good motivation. I think he will play a fantastic game."
Fernando Torres meanwhile is unavailable for selection because he is cup-tied, having playing in the FA Cup for Liverpool earlier in the season.
Torres has been a flop in his two matches for Chelsea so far but Carlo Ancelotti insists that Torres will need more time to adjust.
"In my opinion, he played well for 60 minutes against Fulham. He had two or three opportunities. He didn't score but he will score, obviously.
"He needs to have time, but playing, to improve his combination with the other players,'' Ancelotti said.”It will take time playing with us.''
Chelsea only have 12 league games as well as a few knockout games to make some positive impression for this season. With Chelsea wanting to seize that coveted Champions League spot, it will be interesting to see how fast Fernando Torres gets back into form.
"Drogba will start," said Ancelotti. "I don't know about Nicolas Anelka, but I have to start with Drogba. It is never an easy decision to leave players out, but Didier has shown a very good reaction. He has trained well, with motivation, and he wants to play a good game tomorrow.
"From what I have seen, he's the same Didier - focusing on training and working hard with good motivation. I think he will play a fantastic game."
Fernando Torres meanwhile is unavailable for selection because he is cup-tied, having playing in the FA Cup for Liverpool earlier in the season.
Torres has been a flop in his two matches for Chelsea so far but Carlo Ancelotti insists that Torres will need more time to adjust.
"In my opinion, he played well for 60 minutes against Fulham. He had two or three opportunities. He didn't score but he will score, obviously.
"He needs to have time, but playing, to improve his combination with the other players,'' Ancelotti said.”It will take time playing with us.''
Chelsea only have 12 league games as well as a few knockout games to make some positive impression for this season. With Chelsea wanting to seize that coveted Champions League spot, it will be interesting to see how fast Fernando Torres gets back into form.
