Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti aims to repeat last season’s success; the question is: can he?
Chelsea’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, managed to win a first ever double for his club, when his side won both the Premier League and the FA Cup. This was the Italian’s first season with the Blues, and what a debut it was for the coach. The manager now looks to replicate the performance of his team last season, when Chelsea scored 103 goals in the league.
Three players from Chelsea participated in England’s disappointing 2010 World Cup campaign. Dubbed as the pretournament favourites, England, even in the group stages, never looked like a side that could lift the trophy. The team crashed out following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of eventual third place finishers Germany in the Round of 16. Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole were all part of the first team of the English squad, and Ancelotti is well aware of the impact of these three important players for Chelsea. The manager would want to get his players back to their full form, both physically and mentally. Ancelotti would want them to be fully recovered for the new season, and is aware of the fact that these players will be instrumental for Chelsea in the coming season.
However, Ancelotti is trying to get his players back to the same mind frame as they were in the dying moments of the season, which is called “living in the past”.
The manager is confident that if the players regain the taste of last season’s glory, it will be enough inspiration for the team to start the new season on a high. They are the EPL champions, and Chelsea would want to repeat that feat this season. It may prove difficult for Chelsea this season though, as their Premier League rivals have bolstered their squad by some impressive signings.
Chelsea has released three players this season: Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti. Chelsea is on a cost cutting strategy, and is therefore yet to sign a player. Chelsea has been known of splashing mega cash every season, but the reason behind the relative silence this time around is the new UEFA regulations, which forbids the club to spend beyond a certain criteria.
This may be the reason behind Joe Cole’s termination of contract, as Chelsea are perhaps trying to remain within their boundaries. Till now, Chelsea has been known to get any and every player they like, for as much amount of cash needed. Chelsea is owned by a Russian Billionaire, Roman Abramovich, who has been splashing the cash for his club blindly, but now has to rethink his strategy following the new rules from UEFA. Chelsea might find it impossible to play in the UEFA Champions League once the new rules apply, as they would have to cut their costs drastically.
Chelsea would also be one of the worst hit teams owing to the new Premier League rules. The new rules state that only a 25 man squad is to be named by 1st September, and eight out of the 25 should be home-grown players. To be labelled home-grown, the player has to spend at least 3 years with a club before the player turn 21. On the home-grown front, Chelsea are three men short, and may well have to name a 22 man squad should they not find more home-grown players.
So what should Chelsea do? Buy? Or give their youngsters a chance? If it were the old Blues, they would certainly choose the former option. However, this is not the case now as the rules have changed. Chelsea have only been linked to one player this season: Benfica’s Ramires. The Brazilian, however, doesn’t come under the home-grown quota. Ancelotti would want to think over this issue, and resolve it as soon as possible.
Carlo Ancelotti will be facing a huge threat owing to the new rules of the FA. Three players would have to be added to the squad if they are to name a 25 man squad. If, however, that fails, Chelsea may well be under par for at least the coming six months, and may well have to go with a 22 man squad.
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