Carlo Ancelotti: We'll fight for our crown

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Chelsea, who have sold five players this summer and only brought in Yossi Benayoun so far, begin the season at home to West Brom having lost four pre-season games.

Ramires is undergoing a final medical before completing his £18million move from Benfica and Ancelotti is convinced Chelsea will finish top again, even though he confirmed they will not be looking for a replacement for Ricardo Carvalho.

He said: "We are ready to defend the title and have fantastic motivation to win again.

"We know other teams will work harder to beat us but we are ready to fight and ready to improve our quality, personality and courage."

Meanwhile, Ancelotti admits he is interested in signing Santos star Neymar but refused to comment on the Brazil club's accusations that Chelsea have tapped him up.

He added: "I know nothing about this. I can say Neymar is a fantastic player. However, he is not a Chelsea player and it is difficult to talk about this. I can only talk about his technical quality.

"We are interested in all the young players who come through in the world and Neymar is one of these.

"It doesn't mean that we have to buy this player."

Frank Lampard faces a late fitness test on an ankle problem but Ancelotti has confirmed Didier Drogba will start tomorrow's clash at Stamford Bridge.