I am happy and not afraid at Chelsea: Ancelotti

London: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he is excited about the coming campaign at the helm of his new club, with an optimistic atmosphere in evidence amongst everyone connected with the club.It is the Italian`s first season in the Premier League, and he is looking forward to participating in a league he perceives as being far more open than the top flight in his native country.

"Here is a bit different because it`s the first season outside Italy. I want to do well with my team and I am happy, not afraid, no tension, no pressure. I am happy to start the season," he told the club`s official website. "I have a good feeling with the atmosphere of this club, and it was the same in the last match against Manchester United. I was happy to start and now it is the same.” "The ambition is to remain competitive until the end of the season in all the competitions.” “We want to arrive well in March, April, inside all the competitions and, if we have strength and mental attitude, we can win at the end.” "Now I think the championship in England is more competitive. In Italy three or four teams can win, here I think more.” "It is a very competitive championship - it is not difficult to say Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal. I want to see Manchester City, I am curious, and also Aston Villa who last year did a very good season.” "I know very well my team. In one month I appreciate the quality of this team and I like to start the season with this team. I don`t want to change with another for sure." Ancelotti also updated reporters at his Friday press conference as to the situation regarding the Blues` injured players. "Injured now there is Alex (groin), [Yuri] Zhirkov (knee) and Belletti (Achilles). Also [Paulo] Ferreira but Ferreira this week started to train with the team, and Joe Cole. They all stay here recovering now," he explained. "Next week [Zhirkov] can train with the team. Also Alex, today he trained but is not very well, a little pain from surgery in his groin. Next week we can have Alex and Zhirkov." With a `diamond formation` midfield being used in a new-look 4-4-2 formation by the Blues in pre-season, Ancelotti is confident that his players can adapt and eventually thrive in the new shape. "I think we have to work to improve, the situation on the pitch has to be natural," he added. "Now is not natural because something is new for the players but with work it will be automatic.” "We have to [have] continuity, the last games did not always have that, some periods are very good, others not so good. We have to put continuity on the pitch.” "It is impossible to say the best 11 players in this team, there are more players and I want to use them for the season. I don`t want to put in the games the same 11 players. I want to change and use all the players for the season." Didier Drogba signed a new contract this week, while promising defender Michael Mancienne moved to Wolvehampton Wanderers on loan in order to glean more valuable first team experience. Ancelotti was pleased that the future of both players had been decided. "I am happy that Didier signed a new contract because he is a very important player for this team, not only in this period but for the future. He is a very important striker, does very well for the team and will do very well for the team," the Italian affirmed. "Michael Mancienne, we spoke with him and we found a right solution for him because he needs to play. We will see him because in the future he will be a Chelsea player." Goal.com