Ancelotti speaks up for Anelka

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti says Nicolas Anelka has never caused him a moment's bother and has blasted the FFF for giving him an 18-match ban.

Anelka, who has played for nine clubs in 12 years, has a reputation for being a sulky player who can be disruptive and difficult to handle.

But Ancelotti does not recognise that description of his striker.

"He is a very good man. I have never had a problem with him," said Ancelotti.

"I was very surprised at this behaviour during the World Cup. If I have to think of one player who would shout at me, Anelka would be the last.

"He likes his job, he loves football. He has fantastic skills but he doesn't like publicity and he has character. He never missed training last year.

"I think it was unfair for him - 18 games is too much. Anelka is an honest man and he didn't deserve the decision. He has reacted very well. He has taken it with good spirit."

Anelka blasted the FFF as "clowns" and laughed off the ban, insisting he had already retired from international football.

"It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition," said Ancelotti.

Anelka was not the only Stamford Bridge star to endure a difficult summer - but there was no World Cup hangover as Chelsea opened the season with a 6-0 thumping of West Brom.

It was a case of picking up where they left off last season.

Roman Abramovich wanted entertaining football and Ancelotti has delivered, with Chelsea scoring a record 103 goals on their way to the title.

Chelsea bagged seven on three occasions last year before rounding off the campaign an 8-0 thrashing of Wigan.

The two sides meet again at the DW Stadium on Saturday and the omens do not look good for Wigan.

"We will try to arrive for the game (against Manchester City on September) on top of the table," said Ancelotti.

"It is very important we make a good start, not just one game. Last year we won the first six games in the league and we want to do the same.

"In those first six games we grew our confidence and it was very important."

But Ancelotti was anxious to temper expectations that Chelsea will blast in six goals every week, insisting solidity at the back will be just as important and reminding that Chelsea's first defeat of last season was against Wigan at the DW Stadium.

"I will be happy if we win 1-0. It is important to keep a clean sheet. Winning 6-0 or 7-0 every week is not football," he said.

"It is important to win and to play well. We have to pay attention. The last game at Wigan we lost 3-1.

"We have to prepare well for this game and be right mentally. They caused us a lot of problems there last season, it was our first defeat, and we want to continue our good start to the season."