Drogba near back to his best Ancelotti says

Didier Drogba is close to getting back to top form and will play a key role over the busy festive season, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said.

The Ivorian striker has been short of both consistency and fitness for most of this season, but looked to be getting back on track in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham last weekend, even though he missed a last-gasp penalty.

Drogba will have to wait a few days to show he is back with the showdown against Manchester United postponed, but Ancelotti believes the 32-year-old will be ready to fire when he faces Arsenal in a week’s time.

He told his club’s official website, www.chelseafc.com: “We need Drogba to come back to the performances he had last year and the goal against Tottenham was very good for his attitude.

“I understand he has not been in a good condition. He had difficulty to play with malaria, he was tired, he was not 100 percent and he found it difficult to train.

“I put him in the last few games even though he was not 100 percent because we need to have his character and his personality.

“Now his condition is better. He had a good reaction after coming on as a substitute in the last game, this is the important thing and following the goal against Tottenham he will show us a different Drogba in the next game.”