Anelka to stay at Chelsea - Ancelotti

Posted Tuesday, January 26, 2010 by PA

Carlo Ancelotti insists in-form striker Nicolas Anelka is staying at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti rejected suggestions that the 11-goal hitman will quit the club following speculation that talks over a new contract had stalled. The Frenchman has just 18 months left on his existing contract and Chelsea are keen to tie him down to a long-term deal.

"I think that they are speaking with his agent and they will try to find the right solution for both the club and for him," said Ancelotti.

"I'm confident he'll sign. Anelka is a top player and this club needs to have a lot of top players. And so, it's the same question with Joe Cole. We want to keep him and he wants to stay. There will be a resolution.

"Anelka has told me he wants to stay. He's happy with me. He's happy to work with me, and I'm very happy to work with him. That's a wedding, no? We don't want to break up."

Ancelotti also insists that Joe Cole still has time to force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals this summer.

But the Italian coach says the England midfielder must improve his work with the ball after recalling him into the side to face Birmingham at Stamford Bride on Wedenesday.

"It's not too late for him," said the Blues boss. "There are a lot of games until the end of the season and he has the time to show his quality.

"I think that he's doing well. The last game against Sunderland he did very well without the ball, moved very well. He has to improve when he has the ball.

"He has the quality to do better when he has the ball. But he has the time. Fabio has not asked me about him. I haven't spoken to Capello."