Ancelotti – Blues must believe

Ancelotti: Acknowledges that the title is United’s to lose

Carlo Ancelotti has urged his Chelsea squad to keep the faith as they attempt to land the top-flight title.

The Blues have returned to the race over recent weeks, with there still an outside chance that they could defend the Premier League crown they secured in 2009/10.

Six points currently separate them from table-topping Manchester United, but six wins from their last seven games have offered hope to a side which stumbled badly during the winter.

Ancelotti is keen to cling to that glimmer of hope, with Chelsea still having to go to Old Trafford heading down the final stretch.

The Blues boss feels it is important for his players to believe that they can pip United to the post, with there still 15 points to play for.

“They have to believe that we can win every game,” said Ancelotti, whose side face West Ham on Saturday evening and also host Tottenham before facing United.

“We have to believe that we can also win at Old Trafford, as we did last year. But this doesn’t mean that we can win the title.

“The title is in the hands of Manchester United, we have to be honest.

“To be honest, I can say that I’d like to be in the place of Man United. If they don’t lose total control, they can win.”

Reaction

The Premier League represents the only prize Chelsea are still fighting for, with there every chance they could end the campaign empty-handed.

A demoralising defeat to United in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals saw their European dreams dashed, but Ancelotti is pleased with the response of his players to that particular setback.

“I spoke very clearly after the defeat against Man United because I think after that defeat it was a very good opportunity to show our personality, our character,” he said.

“It was easy to say, ‘Ah, the season is over’. Instead, the players had a very good reaction.

“I think that everyone was looking at what the reaction of the Chelsea players was.”