Ancelotti Turns Attention To Squad
Ancelotti’s start to his second season at Chelsea is reminiscent to his first, he starts off with a Community Shield match against Manchester United at Wembley. If that is any sign of how this season will end, then Ancelotti can relax. Chelsea won the Premier League and the FA Cup, scoring 103 goals and Chelsea players winning the Golden Boot and the Golden Glove, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech respectively.
Unlike former Chelsea manager, the self proclaimed Special One Jose Mourinho, Ancelotti does not have unnecessary rows with rival managers. After his first match against Manchester United, which was the last seasons Community Shield, he described Alex Ferguson as a ‘kind man.’ Ancelotti revealed that Ferguson had welcomed him to English football and said they had a good relationship, “Above all, when we won the Premier League he sent to me congratulations. He was very kind,” he said.
It is a new era at Stamford Bridge, unlike before, when Mourinho was given millions to spend on players, Ancelotti has a tighter budget. Even though Mourinho spent wisely, and bought players who made a difference and ensured back to back titles, Abramovich is not willing to spend as much anymore and Ancelotti must rely solely on his intellect and coaching abilities to beat Manchester United and win the title again.
However, Ancelotti does not have the same squad that was available to him last season. Michael Ballack, Joe Cole, Juliano Belletti and Deco have all been let go. Joe Cole’s demand for higher wages was not met so he left for Liverpool on a free transfer. Michael Ballack decided it was time to return to Germany, and Belletti and Deco both go to Brazilian club Fluminense.
The transfer window closes in less than a month and Ancelotti has not replaced the players that have left. So far only former Liverpool player Yossi Benayoun has been added to the squad, and it is expected that Brazilian Ramires will be signed shortly, as soon as he passes the medical examination. At the start of the season, Chelsea were linked with big signings; Aguero, David Villa, Ozil, Kaka and Fernando Torres. But none of those went ahead, and the summer has been disappointing for Chelsea so far.
Ancelotti does not feel threatened by Manchester United or Arsenal, since both the clubs have not visibly improved their squads but refused to comment on it. “I don't want to speak about Manchester United's behavior in the market. That's not my issue,” Ancelotti said, who does not like to play mind games with opponents and so far has been focusing on his own club. It has been working fine with him, exemplified by Chelsea’s historic double last season.
“For us, after a fantastic season we felt we could do the same with this squad. It was very difficult to change this squad and we were totally agreed to maintain by putting in players from the academy. That is the philosophy of the club, and I'm involved in this. For me it's good to work with young players because I can teach a lot of things. If you agree with the philosophy, everybody has to support the young players.” Ancelotti told reporters.
He admitted that young players were important, but stressed on the need to have more older and experienced players on the squad. He said that the class they brought to the game was important for results, an example of an entirely young squad is that of the Gunners, who have failed to win a single trophy for five years. Despite their early setbacks, the losses to German sides Frankfurt and Hamburg, Ancelotti has confidence in his squad and his own coaching abilities.
“I'm older. Surely I had more doubt last year, when I started. Now I have more knowledge about team and club. I think we start this season in a different situation. I have more knowledge about the players, the club, the atmosphere in England and the teams here,” Ancelotti said, ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.
Tags: