Former Chelsea star Marcel Desailly believes the Stamford Bridge club are using Carlo Ancelotti as a stalking horse.

With Guus Hiddink seemingly committed to a full-time return to the Russia national side when his short-term contract with the Blues expires after the FA Cup Final, Ancelotti has emerged as the favourite to step in.

The AC Milan coach has expressed a vague interest in the job, which has only served to fuel the rumour mill still further.

Yet Desailly, who spent six years at Chelsea and was part of the 2000 FA Cup-winning side, is not convinced Ancelotti wants to leave the San Siro and, as a non English speaker, would be suited to the job anyway.

And he feels Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is using speculation about the Italian as cover for work going on elsewhere that will see a less-talked-about candidate get the job.

"I don't think Ancelotti will go to Chelsea," he said.

"For a start I think AC Milan will qualify for the Champions League next year and I am not really sure he has the desire to come to Chelsea.

"He does not speak the language for a start, which is an obvious drawback.

"I think Chelsea are using the focus on him and have someone else in mind who they will bring in quietly at the right moment."

Desailly feels there is evidence to back up his theory given Hiddink was brought in to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari in January at a time when talk of the Dutchman going to Chelsea - which had been plentiful in the past - had gone quiet.

"No-one was expecting Hiddink to come in," said Desailly.

"Every time with Chelsea we make comments and assessments about who will come in, but they still surprise us."

Marcel Desailly was speaking at a special event to mark 100 days before the start of the Homeless World Cup in Milan.

The tournament will run from September 6-13 and will feature 48 nations from all five continents.