Blues on the brink as Ancelotti urges Chelsea to take title chance

CHELSEA coach Carlo Ancelotti has warned his players there is no room for error as they approach their biggest game of the season against Wigan.

Victory in their Barclays Premier League clash with the Latics at Stamford Bridge tomorrow would deliver the title for the first time since 2006 in the Italian’s first season in charge.

But a draw or defeat would, almost certainly, hand the crown to reigning champions Manchester United.

Alex Ferguson’s side take on Stoke knowing they need a favour from Wigan to stand any chance of keeping their title.

And Ancelotti has reminded his players there is no second chance if they blow it tomorrow.

“To be champions, we have to play as we played against Stoke and against Liverpool,” said Ancelotti.

“We have to maintain the same confidence in our play, the same determination, because nothing is decided. We have to pay a lot of attention. There are no more games. If we miss our chance now, there is no chance to recover. We have to be ready, but we have to play for 90 minutes. We come to play this game, to try our best. They have a very good team and beat us earlier in the season, so we have to pay attention.”

Ancelotti is impressed with the manner in which his players have overcome setbacks to haul themselves into pole position for a title triumph.

“This season, we had some problems but every team has a problem during the season,’’ he said. “The most important thing is that, when the problems came, we were able to move on quickly.

“This season, really I didn’t have strong problems to resolve. We had some difficulties, lost some games, and had difficult moments after the Manchester City and Inter defeats, but we moved on very quickly.’’

Ancelotti continues to insist that having a defender who was stripped of the England captaincy following lurid headlines about his behaviour off the field, and a left-back whose marriage was destroyed by his alleged affairs with other women, is all in the course of a normal season.

“I think that was not a problem for me,” the Italian said. “Those were personal issues and they – Ash and John Terry – were able to keep these problems outside this training ground, so I never spoke about the personal issues of my players.’’

Chelsea still need to deal with the unresolved matter of new contracts for Michael Ballack, Nicolas Anelka and Joe Cole but Ancelotti insists there is no problem with any of the players.

“Joe Cole will stay here,” he declared. “In January I said that no one would come in, and nobody came in.

“So I think that Joe will stay. We have 10 days to wait because the club will speak with Joe Cole, and the other players that are going to be at the end of their contracts, after the FA Cup final.”

For his part Wigan manager Roberto Martinez does not care who wins the league this weekend.

Few expect the Latics to thwart Chelsea’s title bid, but Martinez is nevertheless delighted his side are involved in such a high-profile encounter, and expects his players to put on a show.

“It is an exciting game for us to be involved in at Chelsea,” said the Spaniard. “We have achieved our aim this season of staying in the Premier League which gives me great pride, and there is also a belief in the dressing room that on our day we can perform well against anyone.

“I do not really care who wins the title, I am only interested in what we do and how we play.”

Martinez added: “Everyone will be watching what we do at Stamford Bridge. Worldwide, it is a special occasion.

“We will be involved in deciding the title in the best league in the world, and we will be focused and prepared.’’