ANCELOTTI SURPRISED BY ANELKA
Blues striker is better than boss thought
CARLO ANCELOTTI says striker Nicolas Anelka 'is a lot better than I thought.'
Anelka, with six strikes this term, will be in the spotlight today against former club Arsenal.
But Blues' boss Ancelotti reckons the French star is a different character to the young striker nicknamed Le Sulk when insisted on quitting the Gunners 10 years ago.
In fact, he has been stunned by his quality and is now one of the most important players in Chelsea's team.
Ancelotti said: "I am very happy for him, he is a big surprise.
"I knew him before I came here, I know his qualities. But now it is different.
"I always thought he was an individual player but instead he plays very well for the team. He is a top player and usually they play for themselves, not for the team.
"He understands what I want and he helps the midfield to play. Also, his understanding and feeling with Didier Drogba is very good. They have made a lot of assists for each other."
Underachieved
Anelka's goal ratio under Ancelotti is all the more impressive considering he doesn't play as an out-and-out striker rather as a foil to Drogba with a licence to drop deep or move out wide.
It brings back memories of those early days at Highbury when he looked a world class player and Ancelotti admits in many ways Anelka has underachieved - until now.
"He could have been better when he was young," said the Blues boss. "But now he is at his best.
"For Chelsea, he can move where he wants, he doesn't have a definite position. But I tell him to play as he feels on the pitch and when we attack he has the possibility to move as he wants. I'm very pleased with him."
Chelsea go into the game with no new injury worries and Frank Lampard is expected to start after recovering from a thigh injury picked up on duty with England.
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