Ancelotti backs Drogba to fire

CARLO ANCELOTTI insisted Didier Drogba was “close to his best” despite another goal-shy performance by his star striker in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Blackburn.

Drogba’s display was one of few areas of concern on Saturday as the Barclays Premier League champions produced arguably their best outing for more than two months to end their worst run since 1996.

The 32-year-old Ivory Coast international has struggled to get back to his bulldozing best since a malaria scare earlier this season and continued to look below full power against Rovers.

He was unable to bully Christopher Samba and Ryan Nelsen on Saturday, appeared a yard short of pace, and failed to show the kind of clinical finishing that made him one of the most feared forwards on the planet when one on one with Paul Robinson.

But manager Ancelotti was happy with his contribution, saying: “Didier is very close to his best.

“He played a good game for the team.

“He didn’t score but it doesn’t matter. He played the second half for the team, he came back to help the midfielders.

“It was an unselfish match for him. This is important also if he doesn’t score.”

He added: “Didier is not the quickest player.

“He’s a good player because he has power, he has strength, he has ability, he has skill.’’