Ancelotti's diamond may be better suited to Euro success.

LAST SEASON: Premier League 3rd FA Cup Winners Carling Cup 4th rnd Champions League S-F MANAGER Carlo Ancelotti from June 2009

BEST PRICE 9-4

NEVER mind diamonds being a girl's best friend - they are just as important to new Chelsea chief Carlo Ancelotti.

The diamond was always Ancelotti's preferred midfield formation at Milan (even though the Christmas tree was sometimes used out of necessity) and it was no surprise to see him start working extensively on the new shape on the recent pre-season tour of America.

Chelsea have had great success over the past few years using the 4-3-3 model, but it is out with the old and in with the new as Ancelotti ditches the blueprint that was chosen by Jose Mourinho and then continued by Avram Grant, Phil Scolari and Guus Hiddink.

The personnel won't change that much, particularly as rumoured bids for Andrea Pirlo, Kun Aguero, Franck Ribery and Alexandre Pato have come to nothing, although versatile new boy Yuri Zhirkov provides plenty of options on the left.

Didier Drogba will have a full-time partner in the shape of Golden Boot winner Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard will be asked to perform as the attacking pivot of a midfield which also includes Michael Essien fit from the first whistle.

John Terry's decision to stay is a massive relief for the whole club, while the form of Ashley Cole last season suggested the left-back was back to his very best having been voted man of the match in the FA Cup final success against Everton.

However, not everything is perfect at Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti is Chelsea's fifth manager in three seasons and he must be given the time to stamp his authority on a club which seemingly lost its way under Scolari during the last campaign.

Ancelotti is still learning the English language as well as the culture of the Premier League and he must also improve on a less than impressive Serie A record with Parma, Juventus and Milan.

The 50-year-old has claimed just one Scudetto in his managerial career - not a great statistic considering the calibre of players he has worked with down the years - and that solitary success came four seasons ago.

Ancelotti's speciality is the Champions League, and while it would be foolish to totally rule out the chances of a double, it could be that the Blues are a better bet for European glory rather than the Premier League.

CAPTION(S):

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