Source: Team_Talk
Ancelotti admits World Cup boost
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti feels England's World Cup flop is providing his Blues players with added motivation. [LNB] The Three Lions failed to make an impact in South Africa under Ancelotti's fellow Italian Fabio Capello, crashing out in the first knock-out round following a dismal campaign. [LNB]But Blues stars John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, who all struggled on England duty this summer, have enjoyed an encouraging start to the season. [LNB]Chelsea have set the early Premier League pace with 12 goals and six points from their opening two games, and Ancelotti believes the England players in his squad are determined to compensate for their World Cup failure. [LNB]"If you have character, then after a problem you cannot have no motivation," Ancelotti told The Sun. "But from this, I think the English players are taking more motivation from the World Cup. [LNB]"They have all come back with good motivation and I think they are in good condition. The English players like Terry, Lampard and Cole are all now showing very good physical condition." [LNB]When asked whether England's miserable World Cup showing has worked in favour of his side, Ancelotti added: "I think so. [LNB]"To have a good rest after the World Cup was a necessity. [LNB]"They had a very long season in England and they needed to have good recovery time." [LNB]Lampard netted his first goal of the campaign against West Brom in the Blues' season opener at Stamford Bridge, while defenders Terry and Cole helped keep clean sheets in that match and in their 6-0 away victory at Wigan on Saturday. [LNB]"Defensively, we were good in the first half because Wigan put us under a lot of pressure and we didn't concede," added Ancelotti. [LNB]"They only had three shots from distance." [LNB]The Italian was also full of praise for Didier Drogba's display against the Latics, despite him failing to get his name on the scoresheet after landing a hat-trick during the Blues' 6-0 triumph over the Baggies last weekend. [LNB]"I am very happy with him and he showed a good understanding with Kalou," he said. "Usually a striker will try to score, but he was unselfish.[LNB]"He is not a Superman but he is playing well and he is a humble player. It is not easy to find such humility in a big player."
