Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Drogba's absence played down

14 Dec 2009 - 09:23:26

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Carlo Ancelotti claims Chelsea can cope with the loss of star striker Didier Drogba during the African Cup of Nations.

The club's 18-goal top-scorer could miss four Premier League games - against Hull City, Sunderland, Birmingham City and Burnley - as he will be away representing Ivory Coast at the January tournament in Angola.

But despite scoring more goals than the Blues' next three top scorers combined, Ancelotti claims his squad can cope with Drogba's absence.

"I believe Didier Drogba, at the moment, is very important for us but I believe we can win without him in January," he declared.

"I would like to say, for the last time, we will not buy anybody in January - 100 per cent."

Nicolas Anelka is Chelsea's most prolific player, with the Frenchman having found the back of the net on seven occasions so far this season.