Ancelotti makes Anelka his main man for January

Nicolas Anelka has been told he will carry the responsibility of keeping the goals flying in for Chelsea in the absence of Didier Drogba.

Ivory Coast star Drogba is away at the African Nations Cup along with Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi, but Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Anelka has the ability to ensure that the club’s leading striker is not too badly missed.

Anelka has recovered from a hamstring injury which kept him out of Chelsea’s last four matches and is set to return to action at Hull on Saturday.

“Anelka is a very important player for us,” Ancelotti said Friday. “He has shown he can play with Didier in attack and without him.

“He played the first three games in the Champions League without Didier and he did very well for us and that was important.

“It is very important for us to have him, not only for tomorrow but throughout this period.”

Ancelotti denied reports that the club’s sporting director Frank Arnesen was in Italy this week checking on Sampdoria striker Giampaolo Pazzini, and insisted there were no plans to bolster Chelsea’s playing staff.

“We stay with the same squad. I have said that a lot of times,” the Italian said. “We have a good squad and have a very good striker in Daniel Sturridge. We don’t need to have another new player. Pazzini is not a player who is of interest to us.”

Ancelotti’s squad travel to Hull with a two-point advantage over champions Manchester United and their coach is keen to avoid any slip-up, having taken notice of Arsenal’s recent revival and the impact of his compatriot Roberto Mancini on Manchester City.

“This game will be the first one without the African players and it will be a difficult game,” he said.

“We have to pay attention to Hull and be aware. We must concentrate on doing our best because we want to win and maintain our position at the top of the list.”

Ancelotti added: “It is Roberto Mancini’s dream to win the title. He has started his job very well. But it is important that we stay at the top.

“Arsenal have done very well in this recent period. They have had some fabulous results but we must maintain our position.”