Is money already talking under the new regime of Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti? The former AC Milan manager is making no secret of the fact that European glory is his main aim. He pledges that Chelsea will lift the Champions League crown within the next three years and who would bet against them doing it in his first season in charge?Ancelotti knows European football inside and out and has a pedigree of success. He guided AC Milan to victory in 2003 and then again in 2007 and won the trophy twice as a player. He describes success in the tournament as “beautiful” and the pay cheque isn’t too bad either. Might that have something to do with his ambition?
Certainly, Chelsea fans will be hungry for success after reaching five semi-finals in six years. The taste of being beaten by Manchester United on penalties in the 2008 final is still bitter and players will relish the challenge. Ancelotti also promises to retain the feel-good factor at Stamford Bridge following the club’s victory in the FA Cup. The team and supporters are relishing their first bit of silverware in two years, thanks to outgoing boss Guus Hiddink who delivered the perfect leaving present.
But club faithfuls are already asking whether European glory should be Ancelotti’s main target. What about the Premiership or is this going to take second fiddle to the Champions League? If so, it will spell great news for both Manchester United and Liverpool who will be battling it out for top spot. Perhaps it might have been more diplomatic for Ancelotti to target as much success as possible, including the Champions League. Building a dream on the continent is commendable but performing on the stage at home in front of a crowd who pay good money to see their club has to be a top priority as well.
Chelsea fans will also be interested to see what type of play Ancelotti will favour. Will he encourage the free-flowing style the Blues are used to or adopt the AC Milan more stifled approach? One player who insists he won’t be following his former boss to Stamford Bridge is ace forward Kaka. Both Real Madrid and Chelsea are rumoured to be interested in signing him but Kaka says he has no intentions whatsoever of leaving Milan, full spot. That means he will be signing for Chelsea before the end of June then.
Though Chelsea fans will be relishing Ancelotti’s obvious ambition, he’s got a hard act to follow in the footsteps of Jose Mounrinho and Hiddink who became firm favourites. Ancelotti does have a good track record and says he is very much a people’s person, likes to work together and be close to the players. He also speaks very highly of Chelsea and their teamwork. Ancelotti certainly talks the talk, now let’s see what he can deliver on the field, whether for home tournaments, the Premier League or Europe. He wants to build a dream and Chelsea will want him to deliver.
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