Players can have tactical input - Ancelotti

Ancelotti has spent this week trying to devise a way to get both of his star strikers in his starting XI for the must-win game at Stamford Bridge. That would mean abandoning the 4-3-3 formation that has helped the champions give themselves a glimmer of hope of retaining the title, and instead experimenting again with 4-4-2.

He said: "I'm not a dictator. If they want to have an opinion, they can speak, obviously. Maybe sometimes I ask the players if they are comfortable to play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2."

More than one Chelsea player has come out recently backing the return to 4-3-3 and Ancelotti may risk upsetting his squad if he elects to gamble their entire season - and possibly his own future - by changing a winning formula.

The Italian insisted he would take into account any objections his players had, but warned the final decision lay with him.

He added: "I think that we don't have a problem to play 4-4-2 or 4-3-3. The result doesn't depend on the shape that you use.

"The result depends on the motivation that the players have, on the spirit that the players use on the pitch during the game."

Torres and Drogba have failed to strike up an understanding since the former's ?£50million transfer from Liverpool and have started just three of 14 possible matches together.

But Ancelotti was adamant it was worth trying to get them to dovetail after watching the Spain star finally end his long goal drought against West Ham on Saturday.

"Maybe they can sacrifice something of their ability, of their skills, but they can play together," he said. "If you are able to do this, I think it is good for the team, to get good results. I think it will not be a surprise if they can start on Saturday together."

Source: PA

Source: PA