Adding to our earlier article on Ancelotti’s loss of Didier Drogba to the African Cup of Nations, a report in the Daily Mail today offers confirmation that the striker will depart after the Boxing Day clash with Birmingham.

Although Chelsea were hopeful that the Ivory Coast would allow Drogba and Kalou to remain with the club for the Fulham game on Monday 28th December, the Ivorian national coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, has made it clear that this will not be possible.

“I’ve had conversations with Carlo Ancelotti who wanted his players kept back in England, as did Arsenal, Manchester City and others like Hibernian. But my answer to all of them was straightforward and clear – no. There are no exceptions to the rule because how can I organise my schedule when I have players flying in from different countries on different days? December 27 is the day they must report, December 28 is the day they do their tests and every single one of my players will be there for it, without exception.”

That’s pretty conclusive then. Unless there’s a big change of heart, Drogba and Kalou won’t be in the reckoning for Chelsea against Fulham and owners of those players will have to seek alternative arrangements after gameweek 19.