Carlo Ancelotti has revealed his intention to change Chelsea’s formation next month in an attempt to deal with the absence of Didier Drogba during the African Cup of Nations.

The Chelsea manager plans to use Nicolas Anelka as a lone striker, with Joe Cole and Deco providing support from the flanks and Frank Lampard spearheading a three-man midfield.

Drogba will be sorely missed, with Ancelotti’s revised system effectively an admission that the Ivory Coast striker cannot be replaced.

Anelka has thrived alongside Drogba this season, scoring eight goals as he produced his most consistent performances for almost ten years, but whether he can function as effectively on his own remains to be seen.

The France striker has always struggled in the past when asked to lead the line, and will not receive much in the way of physical backing from Cole and Deco, who have not developed an understanding themselves as they have barely played together over the past two seasons.

Ancelotti admitted that the loss of Drogba will be a serious blow, but is adamant that Cole and Deco can play together effectively and is unconcerned about abandoning his successful diamond formation.

“[The new line-up can work] as long as everyone’s willing to sacrifice, and keep things balanced,” Ancelotti said. “I think when the African players go away in January this will be the ideal solution: using one forward, Anelka, with Deco and Cole behind, and Lampard in midfield.

“Drogba plays well with Anelka because they are two forwards with different characteristics. Drogba prefers to be more static, while Anelka moves around a lot so it wasn’t very hard to get them to play together.

“The team reacted well to the change at the start of the season and can change again. I think when you bring something new tactically to a dressing room, it makes the players eager to pay attention, they’re hungry for new things. Change is a positive thing. They certainly picked this up quickly.”

Ancelotti’s plans could be altered again if Chelsea succeed in their pursuit of Sergio Agüero, the Atlético Madrid striker, although the manager is doing his best to play down expectations of new signings and prefers to talk up the club’s young prospects.

The Italian has insisted that he does not need any new players, but Frank Arnesen, the sporting director, has been working on several potential transfers with Agüero Chelsea’s main target. Even allowing for his economy with the truth, Ancelotti’s plans do not seem to feature Daniel Sturridge, the 20-year-old striker signed from Manchester City last summer.

“We have fantastic young players and, in the future, I want to put them in the squad,” Ancelotti told FourFourTwo magazine. “Fabio Borini played against Portsmouth, Gaël Kakuta played in the Carling Cup, and in Jeffrey Bruma as well, we have very good talent.”

Ancelotti yesterday provided a further strong endorsement of John Terry, his under-fire captain, by comparing him to Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini, the legendary AC Milan defenders. Ancelotti also named Terry as one of England’s six world-class players, a figure he believes only Spain can match before next summer’s World Cup.

“Terry is like Franco Baresi and Paolo Maldini in personality, character and leadership,” Ancelotti said. “I am very lucky to have this player as my captain.

“I think England have six ‘top’ players, by which I mean players who could walk into any national side worldwide. There’s my three: Lampard, Terry and Ashley Cole, then there’s Rio Ferdinand, who’s not having a good time of it right now, but who is a great defender. Then Gerrard, and I’d put Rooney in too.”