Ancelotti to rotate squad and rest stars for Porto
CHELSEA boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to rest star duo Michael Essien and Didier Drogba tonight against Porto as the Italian keeps one eye on Sunday’s trip to Arsenal.
Ancelotti has hinted he will ring the changes for the Champions League Group D clash, with qualification for the knockout stage already guaranteed.
Neither midfield powerhouse Essien nor striker Drogba are 100 per cent fit and, with little at stake, the former AC Milan coach is set to prioritise the weekend showdown against their Premier League title rivals.
“I don’t think Essien will start because he has a little problem on his knee and I prefer to keep him on the bench. He is not a problem for Sunday, against Arsenal he will play,” said Ancelotti.
“I don’t know for Drogba, maybe he will start on the bench. He is well but I prefer to keep him on the bench.”
Ancelotti has promised to field Ricardo Carvalho and Deco in their native Portugal, while Michael Ballack, Branislav Ivanovic and Yuri Zhirkov are all likely to return.