Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is happy with his golden oldies.

Ancelotti is happy to praise his over 30s club for the way they have performed all season.

He said: "When a player is 30, 32, 33 years old, it's not old. He is a player in the middle of his career.

"Maybe 20 years ago when I finished my career at 33 I was an old player. Now training has improved, there is more prevention, and so the career of a player is longer."

Chelsea's 'old boys' include Juliano Belletti (34), Ricardo Carvalho (31), Frank Lampard (30), Michael Ballack (31), Nicolas Anelka (30) and Didier Drogba (31).

Ancelotti had a similar troop of mature players at AC Milan - Paolo Maldini played till he was 40 - and he is a big fan of experience.

He said: "A player in his 30s is in his prime. They have experience and personality. I think this is the best moment of their career.

"I don't think that every player can go on like Maldini at 40 years old, but until 35, a player can be at their best."