Champions League the priority for Ancelotti

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that the Champions League is a more important target than winning the Premier League.

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Ancelotti, 50, was appointed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with the task of returning major silverware to Stamford Bridge, including European football's major prize for the first time.

The elite competition is clearly the priority for the Blues boss, whose team take on Arsenal today with a two-point cushion at the summit of the English top flight.

"I prefer always the Champions League,'' Ancelotti said. "It is the most important competition in the world. I know very well that in England it is very important to win the Premier League. It is different from Italy - in Italy the most important thing is the Champions League for a club.

"When I came here Mr Abramovich didn't say to win the Champions League to me. He would like to see his team arrive at the end of the season in all the competitions. This is the most important thing for him. My aim is to do the best for this club. I would like to stay here until the owner Roman is happy with my job.

"I am Italian but here there is a very good mentality, a very good atmosphere.''

Ancelotti is in his first coaching job outside his homeland but has settled into English football quickly and successfully.

Chelsea have done so well, in fact, that he sees no reason to strengthen his squad in January despite the suspension of the club's transfer ban.

"All the players of the squad are in a good condition and if we maintain this until January it is not necessary to have new players,'' he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek. "At this moment we will sign nobody.''

Meanwhile, Ancelotti believes England will reach the semi-finals of next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"The England team has a possibility to win,'' he said. "To win the World Cup is not easy but I think England can arrive in the final four teams.''