English Premier League News: Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti dismisses reports of pressure from Abramovich
As Chelsea prepare to travel to Tyneside in order to face Newcastle United at Saint James’s Park stadium, Ancelotti’s future at the Blues remained shrouded in cover. However, in his latest interview the ex-Milanese manager has clarified
his position at the club in face of reports that he is facing threats of dismissal if Chelsea’s performances don’t improve in the near future. Chelsea have now lost their three of their last four matches but it all remains to be seen how things will plan out
against Newcastle United
Chelsea’s title defence has been hampered by injuries to John Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien. Terry, Chelsea’s captain is currently undergoing treatment for a nerve problem in his right leg, an issue which has ruled him out of
action in-definitely. On the other hand, Frank Lampard has been sidelined for three weeks due to a hamstring injury which he suffered while he was recovering from a groin injury.
Ancelotti clarified the situation as he said, "The owner doesn't put me under pressure. After the defeat against Inter it was normal to be under pressure because we didn't reach our result in the Champions League. It wasn't the owner who
put me under pressure. He always supports me and is supporting me also in this moment. To be under pressure doesn't mean I'm not safe. It's normal to be under pressure. Under pressure I have more concentration.”
He added, "You have to look at the results. The results are not good and I have to take my responsibility and stay more in focus on my job. I have to use all my experience to give more opportunities to the players to do better."
Chelsea are now joint leaders in the English Premier League alongside Manchester United, who have successfully closed down a five point gap since the start of November. However, the Italian manager remains adamant that he is not worried
by United’s unbeaten start to the 2010-2011 season.
Carlo said, "We're not concerned, but it would be better for everyone to stay top. A strong manager, a strong team, has to manage the pressure. It's impossible to stay all the time at the top. Last year was the same, we went down but we
reacted well and won the title at the end of the season."
After the defeat to Birmingham City at the Saint Andrew’s stadium, Carlo held a meeting with his squad at Stamford Bridge. He revealed the objectives of the meeting as he said, "It was a clear meeting. They spoke with objective thoughts.
I was happy with that because I agreed with their opinions. Last year the meeting was a bit different. We lost an important competition like the Champions League; the meeting had a different aim.”
Chelsea’s manager went onto say, "We wanted to change direction, mentality, to focus the players on the Premier League. Last week the meeting was just to speak about football. I don't think we're lacking in motivation. We want to win the
Premier League again and we want to win the Champions League. We still have that opportunity. We are in the last 16 in Europe and we're top of the table. We didn't do well in the last three or four games. I agree with the criticism. There's good reason to
be critical after these results."
Chelsea will have the likes of Alex available for selection for the match against Newcastle, a team which knocked the Blues out of the Carling Cup competition. Alex also played against Birmingham but it was believed that he wasn’t fully
fit for that encounter as he was suffering with a knee injury. If Chelsea win and United lose at the weekend, the Blues will extend their lead at the top of the league table to three points. However an unfavourable result can turn the tables on Carlo Ancelotti
and his team.
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