Keep Ancelotti – Wilkins

Ray Wilkins yesterday urged Chelsea to keep faith with Carlo Ancelotti amid speculation the Italian will be sacked from Stamford Bridge this summer.

Wilkins, who was controversially fired as Ancelotti’s assistant in November, said Chelsea would be making a mistake if they changed their manager but acknowledged there was a need to “freshen up” the squad.

“I don’t think it needs a radical change,” Wilkins told BBC radio.

“But they certainly need new players to freshen the place up. Wholesale changes, starting from the coach, would be the wrong way to go.”

Wilkins also rejected suggestions Chelsea’s ageing squad was too old to be a force in the Premier League next season.

“Chelsea have a nucleus of players, I know a lot is spoken about how old these players are but, trust me, the fitness levels are exceptionally high,” he said.

“The age thing does not really creep in. They do have the fitness levels of younger men.”

Chelsea are all but out of the title race after losing 2-1 to Manchester United on Sunday, a result which leaves United needing only one point from their final two games to clinch a record 19th crown.