Carlo Ancelotti sets his sights on UEFA Champions League
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 boss Carlo Ancelotti has claimed that the priority of the London club now is to finish in the top four of the English Premier League.
The Blues manager has conceded that title hopes for Chelsea are over now and their main aim is to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the 2011-12 season. Chelsea have won only 5 of the last 16 games in the League after a brilliant start to the season.
“We have to come back quickly to get fourth place in the Premier League so we don't have time to think it is too much to be too far behind Manchester United. The most important thing is to finish in fourth place and I think we will be able to do this,” said
the Chelsea manager.
The Italian’s statement came after the recent draw against Fulham. Chelsea had to thank http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Petr-Cech-c29837 for his heroics in the match. The Chelsea goalkeeper saved a stoppage time penalty from Clint Dempsey to earn a point for the London club. Tottenham Hotspur
winning their game against Sunderland and Chelsea dropping two points against Fulham helped Spurs climb to 4th place. They are now two points clear of Chelsea with 47 points.
Ancelotti dropped http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Torres-c13707 as the lone striker. The move came as a shock to many of the Chelsea fans as Drogba has already scored 10 goals in the on-going 2010-11 season in the League and has been
phenomenal.
The Spaniard had a poor day again after making his debut against former club Liverpool recently and was substituted in the 71st minute. It seems that the striker is under a lot of pressure to perform to justify the 50-million-pound price tag.
Ancelotti defended Torres’ performance and insisted that the Spaniard was improving and will take some time to settle in.
“He played well, used his ability to move and had opportunities in the first half. I took him out to give the opportunity to use Didier fresh, with power, and his performance was better than last time against Liverpool. Every striker wants to score and I
don't think he is frustrated,” Ancelotti said.
Ancelotti said that Chelsea deserved to win the game and that a draw was a fair result for both the sides. The Italian said that they were unable to convert the opportunities that came to them but was happy with the performance of his side even though they
dropped points. Ancelotti also heaped praise on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Luiz-c10542, who made his full debut for the club, and applauded his performance.
Chelsea play league leaders Manchester United next at Stamford Bridge in a crucial game for both sides. The Blues have http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 right on their tail and any mistake could be disastrous for them.
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