Drogba urges Vieira swoop

Didier Drogba has urged Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to make a move for ex-Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira in the January transfer window.

The Barclays Premier League leaders are unable to bring in new players due to a transfer embargo imposed by FIFA, but should the club's appeal against that ruling be successful, Drogba believes veteran midfielder Vieira should be the first name on Ancelotti's wish-list.

"It would be a good move for Chelsea to bring Patrick in," the Ivory Coast international told The Sun.

"Don't forget we are going to miss several players in January, particularly in midfield, because of the African Nations Cup.

"We played against Vieira last summer and he was very strong."

It has been reported that Vieira, currently at Inter Milan, is seen by Ancelotti as ideal cover for Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel, who will both be taken out of the equation by African Nations Cup duty.

The 33-year-old Vieira was at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to see Chelsea return to the top of the league with victory over Liverpool.