Chelsea FC

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• Founded:1905
• Manager:Carlo Ancelotti

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Lampard earns Carlo's praise

28 Jan 2010 - 11:22:33

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Frank Lampard is one of the best midfielders in the world after watching the England star score twice in the comfortable 3-0 victory against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge.

The win also marked Chelsea's last game without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, who will be available for the weekend clash against Burnley following the Ivory Coast's quarter-final defeat to Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ancelotti said: "We use all the pitch to attack and so Frank is able to run into the box to score. I think he's the best running midfielder in the world. He has this fantastic quality to time his run into the box.

"It's good we are back at the top. We have one more point with a game in hand on United and two points more than Arsenal.

"That's important because, on Sunday, United play Arsenal. Maybe we can improve our position on Saturday.

"We did very well in January. I want to thank my players who did a fantastic job without the African players.

"I think we need to have Drogba because he's a fantastic player and, with him, we can play the same football.

"Our philosophy and aims won't change - to play good football and win. We won't change. We'll maintain the same system.

"I'm happy Drogba will be here with us soon. He had a fantastic start to the season and will be very important for us in the future."