The real significant test to Chelsea’s title ambitions

The African Cup of Nations is again just around the corner and many managers will be considering their options as the competition once again takes many key players away from the Premiership. Every two years in January, squads are affected by the tournament as Africa’s top players return home for several weeks to represent their countries.

Chelsea are the team in the Premier League who stand to be affected most by the competition, losing the likes of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel.

The most pressing issue for Carlo Ancelotti is likely to be the loss of Didier Drogba. The Ivorian has been in some of the best form of his career, the best he would have you believe, and he undoubtedly poses the biggest goal scoring threat at the club. In Drogba’s absence Ancelotti would usually look to Salomon Kalou to contribute goals however Kalou will also travel back to the Ivory Coast. I am of the belief that Kalou is one of the best back-up strikers in the Premier League with an impressive goal scoring record for a player who is essentially a bench man. I am sure many other Premier League clubs would welcome him into their set up and his absence will also be hugely detrimental to Chelsea’s title bid.

Goal scoring is not the only thing that will affect Chelsea come January as both of their defensive midfielders also head for Africa. Ask any Chelsea fan and they will tell you that Michael Essien is one of the most important members of the team and is instrumental in much of Chelsea’s success. Losing Essien will be a huge blow to the blues made worse by the fact that his cover, John Obi Mikel, will be representing Nigeria in the tournament. Ancelotti’s famed diamond formation has worked tremendously well so far this season however this will be an issue for the Italian come January. The lack of a defensive midfielder will not only affect Chelsea’s defensive options but is an integral part of the midfield and will also affect the roles of the Blues’ other midfielders. The holding role has greatly increased in popularity in the last decade and it has been prominent with Chelsea throughout the whole of the Abramovich era with Claude Makelele excelling in the position. The importance of the role for team proves how much of a problem it will be with both Essien and Mikel missing.

Ancelotti clearly has a decision to make come January. With these key players missing he has a few choices. He may continue to use his diamond formation with two up front, trying to fill the missing players with new signings or other squad members, Juliano Belletti for example is no stranger to playing the defensive midfield role. Or he may revert back to the old Chelsea system, packing the midfield and playing Frenchman Nicholas Anelka as a lone striker supported by wingers. If he sticks to the 4-4-2 it will give youngster Daniel Sturridge a chance to shine with the ex-Man City player yet to make an impact at the Bridge whereas the 4-5-1 is a tried and tested Chelsea formula but it is unlikely to be a system the Italian will favour.

Chelsea’s issue is made further problematic as title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal are barely affected by the competition, meaning that they will be near full strength when the London club are missing key men. However Ancelotti decides to tackle the issue, the January period is likely to a go a long way to deciding whether Chelsea have got what it takes to take Manchester United’s crown.