Carlo Ancelotti writes off Chelsea title hopes
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has written off his side's chances of retaining the Premier League title.
The Blues are 10 points behind leaders Manchester United with 13 games left and have lost seven times this season.
But Ancelotti's side, who lost to Liverpool last weekend, are still to face United home and away this season.
"Now for us it is difficult to think that we can come back and fight for the Premier League title," said Ancelotti, whose side take on Fulham on Monday.
Instead, Ancelotti believes that sealing a top-four finish to secure Champions League football next season might be a more realistic target for the west London side.
"The gap is very big, we have to be honest," admitted Ancelotti.
"The most important thing is to reach fourth place in the table to maintain Chelsea in the Champions League and we have to fight with the other teams.
"It is better for us to take it game by game in the Premier League but we have to reach fourth place as a minimum."
Ancelotti was speaking at a press conference to unveil new signing David Luiz but the assembled media quizzed the Italian about Fernando Torres.
Torres, who was also signed by Ancelotti in January, made an inauspicious debut against former club Liverpool last weekend but despite hauling off his new £50m signing after 65 minutes, the Chelsea boss is determined to prove the Spaniard can form a successful partnership with fellow striker Didier Drogba.
"My aim as a coach is to try and find the best solution with the players I have," said the Italian.
"In this squad Drogba and Torres are fantastic strikers and we have to try and do everything to get them to play together."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/9394443.stm
