• Premier League

Ancelotti ready to risk title race by resting Drogba

ESPN staff
April 22, 2011
Didier Drogba was on the scoresheet against West Brom © PA Photos
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Carlo Ancelotti has confessed he may rest Didier Drogba against West Ham as Chelsea attempt to stay in the Premier League title race.

Following a difficult season that has been disturbed by a bout of malaria, Drogba has looked like returning to his best in recent weeks, playing a starring role in the midweek victory over Birmingham.

Chelsea are currently six points behind leaders Manchester United, but the Red Devils still have to play both the Blues and Arsenal.

Drogba's recent form has been in stark contrast to the ongoing struggles of £50 million man Fernando Torres, who has not scored in 893 minutes of football. However, Ancelotti admits he may not start the Ivorian against West Ham on Saturday.

"Maybe I can use some rotation to maintain the players' freshness," the Italian said. "It wouldn't be easy to leave Drogba out, but there's a chance we could leave him out on Saturday.

"We started with Torres against [Manchester] City. We won the game when Didier came on.

"It might be a good solution to give him the last 30 minutes of the game because he's fresh and fit."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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