Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea boss Ancelotti considers going Dutch for Real's Van der Vaart
Chelsea and Lazio are reportedly leading the race to sign Real Madrid outcast Rafael van der Vaart. [LNB]The Spanish giants were keen to offload the Holland midfielder in the summer to help pay for their £225million spending spree. [LNB]And they will again offer him to clubs in the winter - despite Van der Vaart's determination to fight for his future at the Bernabeu. [LNB] Should he stay or should he go? Van der Vaart (right) faces a battle for a place[LNB]The former Hamburg player was linked with Everton and Arsenal in the summer and is set to make only his second start of the season when Madrid play minnows AD Alcorcon in the Spanish Cup on Tuesday night. [LNB]His position at the club was made obvious at the weekend when compatriot Royston Drenthe was selected ahead of him for the draw at Sporting Gijon in the continued absence of Cristiano Ronaldo. [LNB]However, he has not given up hope of impressing head coach Manuel Pellegrini. [LNB]'I want to prove I can be important for team and the coach has allowed me to play several minutes in the last few games,' said Van der Vaart, who was initially not even given a squad number by Madrid this summer. [LNB] 'I have to take advantage of every chance I get to prove I can play here. I know it's hard, but I want to fight for Real Madrid and become important on the team.' [LNB]Chelsea have been long-term admirers of Van der Vaart. They are set to lose midfielders Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, though Van der Vaart is hardly a like for like replacement. [LNB]However, boss Carlo Ancelotti has shown a desire to add another quality option in midfield and chased Italy internationals Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi in the summer, as well as Bayern Munich star Franck Ribery. [LNB]Chelsea are hoping to get a FIFA transfer ban over the Gael Kakuta affair put on hold pending an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.[LNB] Didier Drogba warns Chelsea's title rivals: You ain't seen nothing yet!Chelsea skipper John Terry: We're over our Stamford Bridge bluesBeat ban and Aguero is yours for £50m, cash-strapped Atletico tell ChelseaMarked man: Nemanja Vidic - the most booked defender in Premier LeagueTop four's drop in quality leaves the Premier League wide openCHELSEA FC
