Kalou’s heartening comments about Carlo may comfort Chelsea fans
Chelsea player Salomon Kalou has spoken to the media about the current Chelsea situation and the players’ stance on Carlo Ancelotti. He maintains that Ancelotti has helped the team in immeasurable ways, by encouraging them when they most need it and more
importantly by “protecting” them when they face the pressure to perform well despite the squad’s current injury crisis.
The title defenders have faced three defeats in the English Premier League; to a mediocre Birmingham team on Saturday the 20th of this month, and before that to a superb Sunderland side who thrashed the Blues 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti’s
team lost at the hands of Hodgson’s Liverpool in the beginning of November. Besides their poor form of late, the Blues have had to endure the sacking of their assistant manager Ray Wilkins, who parted ways with the club he had been affiliated with for thirty-seven
years. The Blues manager had to deny claims made by the press that he too, had left the club, although he did explain that his position at Stamford Bridge is very different to (as an example) Sir Alex Ferguson’s at Manchester United. Ancelotti elaborated by
saying he did not feel fully in charge of on-field and off-field happenings at the club, the way a manager should be, the way Sir Alex Ferguson is at Old Trafford. Instead, Carlo confirmed that his duty was to provide only “technical direction”.
After the issue of Wilkins’ dismissal came to light, an ex-Chelsea manager, current Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, ‘warned Carlo Ancelotti not to make the same mistake he did at Chelsea by overstaying his welcome’ (as reported by the “Irish Times” on November,
23rd). Mourinho accumulated six trophies during his three year stay at Stamford, including back to back English Premier League title wins. He later parted ways with the club and has advised Ancelotti to do the same when he feels the ‘time is right’. Coming
clean about the issue, he stated “"I had the chance to go to Real then and said no. Probably I should've said yes at the time. I decided to stay and four months later had no job."
It is the ideal time for the Chelsea striker to make such heartening statements in support of his boss, and put worried Chelsea fans at ease. The Ivorian explained that two defeats at Chelsea instantly are taken in much more serious terms due to high expectations,
and often the pressure leads to a low-morale among the squad members, who are certainly not used to losing. Kalou praises Carlo’s “belief (that) everything is going to be good if we work hard and train well”. Salomon recalls last year when the Blues were facing
tempestuous times and Carlo’s confidence and cool helped the Blues to claim the title.
The striker further described the atmosphere at the club as calm, despite constant media coverage and exaggeration of issues that suggest Stamford Bridge is falling down. Concerning Ancelotti’s resignation rumors, Kalou said "We haven't talked to the manager
about the speculation and he didn't say anything to us.” Simply because the players brand the rumors as ridiculous, as they are pleased with Ancelotti’s guidance and predict a long future with the Italian. Kalou described working with Ancelotti as a “real
joy”.
Despite their current form, the Blues maintain the top position in the English Premier League, even if it is on a goal difference of six. Chelsea have retained the top spot this season for so many consecutive weeks, effectively sending out the message to
their placed-lower-in-the-league opponents, that they are ‘still the team to beat’. Rivals and second placed Manchester United have not lost a single game this season, but their series of draws have cost the club vital points and the Blues are still ahead
of the Red Devils.
Critics argue that Chelsea’s shaky form will see the Blues fall soon, instead fans may argue that despite all the recent injury troubles, sacking of Ray Wilkins and resignation rumors, Chelsea have proved their mettle, and have qualified for the next round
of the UEFA Champions League competition, where they are on top of their group. Chelsea play Newcastle over the weekend in the upcoming Barclays Premier League fixtures.
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