Carlo Ancelotti expresses desire to remain at Chelsea, hopeful about Champions League
Chelsea boss, Carlo Ancelotti revealed he wanted to stay at Stamford Bridge and was hoping to renew his contract with the London side. The Italian had an incredible first season with the Blues, leading them to their first English Premier League and FA Cup
double.
However, the former AC Milan boss has failed to retain either of the trophies this season. The Blues faced an early exit from both, the Carling Cup and the FA Cup, and are currently at fourth place in the Premier League table, 10 points behind league leaders
Manchester United.
Despite their mid-season slump, which saw Chelsea drop precious points as well as their spot at the top of the league, the Blues have managed to make it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League - the one competition where Chelsea has been very impressive,
all throughout the group stages to the round of 16.
In the quarter-finals, Chelsea will take on Manchester United, a fixture which will determine whether they will wind up with a trophy this season. It is rumored that Ancelotti will most likely be facing a Chelsea exit, if he is unable to win a trophy more
specifically, the Champions League this season.
The Chelsea boss did not think his future relied on his ability to win trophies, and insisted on wishing to remain at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603, but avoided commenting on a possible move to the Serie
A side.
While speaking to reporters Ancelotti said, “I want to stay at Chelsea. I would like to extend my contract because I love these players and this club. Obviously it is just not my decision, but I don't think they require me to win a trophy to retain my position.”
The Italian manager revealed Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich’s desire to win the European Cup. While he admitted the Russian billionaire was determined to win the trophy he denied that it was an obsession.
He mentioned the various times the Blues had come close to claiming the coveted Champions League trophy, but had never really succeeded. The most notable times were against Liverpool in 2005 when the Blues went out to Luis Garcia’s ghost goal.
The Champions League final in 2008 against Manchester United was another occasion when Chelsea was close to claiming the European Cup, but lost out on penalties. Chelsea skipper, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Terry-c18895 slipped and missed the crucial penalty, earning his side runners-up
medals.
The last two times the Blues lost out to Barcelona in the semi-finals in a crucial fixture, 1-1 on aggregate, with the La Liga giants going ahead on the away goal. Last season, Chelsea lost out to Jose Mourinho’s http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan, who went on to eventually win
the competition.
Ancelotti continued, “The Champions League is a dream for this club but it cannot be an obsession. It is a motivation. Chelsea deserve to win it. They lost the final on penalties, lost a semi-final in the last minute; they went out with a goal that was no
goal at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809.”
The Italian remained optimistic about his side’s chances of winning the European Cup, he said, “I have told my players that we have 450 minutes of football now to win the Champions League. I believe we can do that.”
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