Ancelotti will be without top scorer Didier Drogba for up to five weeks

Manager Carlo Ancelotti insists Chelsea will not buy new players in January's transfer window - despite losing four players to the African Nations Cup.

Key players Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Mikel Obi all go on international duty for five weeks on 28 December.

But Ancelotti believes his young players can provide sufficient cover.

He said: "We do not, at this moment, need to have new players in January. We have confidence in our young players."

Chelsea's influential quartet could miss up to five matches in January, including the FA Cup holder's third-round tie against Watford at Stamford Bridge.

The African Nations Cup runs for three weeks between 10-31 January, but all four players will join their respective countries' pre-tournament training camps.

I don't shout at my players. If a man shouts at me, I don't listen. I prefer to speak Carlo Ancelotti

Although Fifa regulations stipulate that players should be released two weeks before a major tournament - which would be 27 December for Chelsea's African contingent - Ancelotti said they will leave on the 28th, a day after the west London derby with rivals Fulham.

Ghana international Essien sustained a hamstring injury in Chelsea's final Champions League match against APOEL in midweek, but Ancelotti is confident the midfielder will be fit in time for the start of the African Nations Cup, which takes place in Angola.

"Michael had a scan and I think he will be out for between three and four weeks," said the Italian.

"The aim is to work to improve his injury but I think he will be ready to go on December 28, if he stays well.

"I have no problem with the Ghana doctor coming here. If they want to come here to see Essien, there is no problem."

Of more concern for Chelsea will be the sizeable gap left by top scorer Didier Drogba, who has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, as well as Ivory Coast international team-mate Kalou.

606: DEBATE Let's get back to winning ways against Everton at the weekend and then start rotating a few of the players around again if need be cfc_bridgeboy

But rather than flex their considerable financial muscle in January's transfer window in search of adequate cover, Ancelotti will instead turn to younger players like strikers Fabio Borini, Daniel Sturridge and Gael Kakuta, defender Jeffrey Bruma and midfielder Nemanja Matic.

He said: "Matic could not play in the Champions League but he is improving very well and very soon he will play in the first team."

Defeat against Manchester City last week has seen Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League cut to just two points.

Chelsea have not won in three matches following their 2-2 draw with APOEL, but Ancelotti insisted he did not need to unleash his anger at his players following the draw.

"I was not angry after the game, I prefer to say I was unhappy," he added. "We didn't do well in the second-half so I spoke with my players after the game, nothing else.

"I do not need a whip with these players, because I know their professionalism. They have to concentrate in every game and play with the same intensity for 90 minutes.

"I have seen a very good reaction in the last few days in training.

"I don't shout at my players. If a man shouts at me, I don't listen. I prefer to speak. It is not good to have a bad reaction. I want a man-to-man relationship with my players and respect them."

Chelsea are boosted by the return of Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka for their Premier League match against Everton on Saturday, but midfielder Deco will miss the match because his father is ill.

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