ANCELOTTI: WE'RE NOT TOO OLD

CARLO ANCELOTTI has scoffed at suggestions his side is too old to cope if Chelsea's postponed transfer ban is upheld.

The Blues are expected to splash the cash in January now the Court of Arbitration has permitted them to trade before a potential ban is enforced.

But Ancelotti insists there is no need to refresh his squad because Chelsea's top performers can keep going for years to come.

Ashley Cole, 28, John Terry, 28, Frank Lampard, 31, and Didier Drogba, 31, have all signed long-term contacts, indicating that Chelsea have faith in their ageing legs.

Ancelotti also kept faith in an AC Milan squad that was considered past its prime.

The Italian coach said: "The new contracts show that we want to maintain this squad for the future. Terry, Lampard and Ashley Cole are all young players.

"Now when a player is 30 years old he is in the middle of his career. Ten years ago he would be old but with new physical training and diets, 30 is the best moment of a player's career."

But the manager also believes keeping Joe Cole at the club will add more weight to his argument for not signing in the New Year.

He added: "We want to keep him and he wants to stay here with us. There will not be a problem for his future.

"It's very important to have him back. I trust in his quality. He is dynamic and his return, along with Paulo Ferreira, is very important for the club. With them we don't need other players.

"If Cole continues to improve he will have the opportunity to play in the national team once again."

Ancelotti is planning to take a leaf out of Liverpool's book in the Stamford Bridge showdown with Manchester United today.

Liverpool beat them at Anfield two weeks ago with a performance full of gritty determination and a high work- rate.

Ancelotti said: "Liverpool played a fantastic match, a strong match, and put a lot of pressure on the pitch.

"That's why they won. They didn't give United any possibility to play like they want to play. It was a good lesson for us because United can suffer when there is pressure on their midfielders.

"But I don't just want to play against other team's weaknesses. We want to put our own qualities on the pitch."

Ancelotti is no stranger to beating Ferguson, including a second-leg victory against United with Milan in the Champions League in 2007.

He added: "There was a particular atmosphere created after the first match because we lost in the last minute at United and I think that goal forced my team to play in a more attacking style from the start.

"At the same time, United thought about defending. After 15 minutes we were 2-0 up.

"The best thing is to maintain a balance. They have a good defence but also fantastic strikers. Wayne Rooney is one of the most intelligent strikers in the world, so we have to think about him. He has the quality to play everywhere."

Ancelotti has tried to calm the hyperbole surrounding the clash.

He said: "They are second in the Premier League but it's just a game that carries three points like the others.

"It's a very important game. It's important because we play against a fantastic team, but we know very well it will be a very difficult match but also a very interesting one."

Ancelotti refuses to admit it is a two-horse title race and says a rejuvenated Arsenal are still in the mix.

He said: "We can't think about Liverpool at this moment because they are behind, but Arsenal have a very good team and a very good chance to win."

• Blues stallion Carlo Ancelotti is having a giraffe
• JOHN TERRY BACKS DIDIER DROGBA'S RANT

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