Carlo Ancelotti welcomes Ashley Cole back to his squad for this evening's game at Tottenham Hotspur though, even with key players returning to the fold and the title just nine points away, the Italian takes his side across the capital wary of the considerable threat that awaits them.
Chelsea have not won at White Hart Lane in the league since they last claimed the title, under José Mourinho back in 2005-06, and it is a measure of Tottenham's potency at home that Ancelotti has called upon his players to summon a performance similar to that mustered in winning at Manchester United earlier this month. Cole, his fractured ankle healed, and Branislav Ivanovic will start on the bench with the league leaders resorting to a similar line-up to that employed at Old Trafford, with recalls for Florent Malouda, Joe Cole and Deco in midfield.
"I think we will need the same kind of performance as we had at United, the same mentality and the same philosophy for sure," said Ancelotti. "We will have to put pressure on them immediately. Tottenham will want to do the same to us, of course, but imposing ourselves on them is the right way to get a good result. A draw would not be a good result for us. We want to maintain a good philosophy against Tottenham and try to win the game. That would be the best thing. I don't know if it'll be possible. I was surprised at their performance against Arsenal because they reacted well after the Portsmouth defeat and played a strong match, so we have to pay attention. We will need to fight."
Spurs' inconsistencies – failing to score against Pompey over 120 minutes at Wembley, then rallying to defeat Arsenal in the north London derby in midweek – make them awkward and unpredictable opponents to confront. "But we have to assume we'll be playing against a Tottenham team at their best," said Ancelotti. "Tottenham haven't been playing with consistency this season, but they have played football with very good quality at times. They are a team that like to play and have players with a lot of quality. With more consistency, they could be higher up the table. With more experience, perhaps they can fight for the title next season."
Ancelotti admitted to nerves in midweek as his team squeezed beyond Bolton, though he recognises that Chelsea can potentially take a considerable step towards regaining that title this weekend. Should Manchester United slip up at Eastlands this lunchtime, then the prospect of the Londoners moving seven points clear at the top of the table with three games to play is very real. Much seems to be going their way of late, not least with the return from long-term injury of the likes of Cole and Ivanovic.
The club are considering arranging a behind-closed-doors friendly next week in which the defensive pair could feature to build up their match fitness. "Ashley is ready, he's fit, and he'll start on the bench," Ancelotti said. "I'm not surprised how quickly he's come back – the medical staff have worked very well on him, and he has worked hard – but it's good news for us that he's fit, and good for England too."
Chelsea have initiated legal action against the outgoing Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, over claims in his book that the Premier League club had offered him and the current presidential candidate, Sandro Rosell, a cut of a potential deal for the Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho back in 2004. Chelsea deny that any offer was ever made.
