Ancelotti has lost only once since succeeding Guus Hiddink during the summer, but the reaction to the 3-1 defeat at Wigan Athletic last week had somehow prompted certain pundits to question his future at the club.

But Benitez said: “I don’t think he is under pressure. He is a good manager with a good team. It’s a question of keeping going.

“I think someone wanted to say something or write something but I think he is 100% not under pressure from anyone at Chelsea. I’m sure he will be given time as he has won the Champions League.

“He has not changed too much here, maybe the shape of the team a little but the style of football is similar and the people there are happy because he is winning games.”

Benitez has urged his players to produce a positive response to Tuesday’s dismal Champions League defeat at Fiorentina, and warned any repeat of their first-half performance in Tuscany would not be acceptable.

“We cannot go into the Chelsea game playing like that,” he said. “If you look at both sides, normally we each have around 25 chances a game. But if we allow Chelsea to have that many, we will lose.

“We must improve in defence, and we must play to our strengths and keep attacking and creating chances.

“We have had confidence. Both teams will think ‘we can attack and score goals’, so I think you will see two teams attacking and it depends on who has more possession. When you can win against top sides you play with more confidence in the next games.”

Javier Mascherano has recovered from the hamstring problem that ruled him out in midweek and will return to central midfield, while Benitez is pondering a recall for the fit-again Daniel Agger at the expense of Martin Skrtel.

“I think it is important to have him back for the type of player he is and the kind of game we will play,” said Benitez. “You need people working very hard.

“Agger played 70 minutes for the reserves the other day and has been training today. He has quality so it’s something you can consider.”