Hope the smile that disappears is that of Fergie's!
All will be forgotten. What will be forgotten is a question. We can either forget how poor this season has been or can forget what a good season the last one was. Either of these two will happen Tuesday night. If we progress, we can forget the disasters of the league this season. If we don’t, we might easily forget that we were the double winners last season.
If Carlo wins this tie, I will forgive him for all the failings of this season. Sometimes people misunderstand me. I’ve been a vocal critic of Carlo Ancelotti’s approach and methods. I still strongly believe Carlo did not do enough to get us out of the slump. I do think he did not react quick enough. I also think he was neither creative nor adventurous as much as he could have been.
I’m not against Carlo, the man. But I’m certainly critical of his ‘methods’. Sometimes people just don’t see this difference between attacking a man’s methods and attacking the man himself. Hence my frequent admission that I do want Carlo to remain our manager. But that doesn’t mean I’m gonna be happy with whatever he does. I don’t want Carlo to be sacked. I want Carlo to change. Hope you see the difference.
On Tuesday, Carlo will face his biggest test of his Chelsea career so far. Roman is not used to going out of the title race by early April. He’s never had to face it. But Carlo’s speciality is supposed to be champions league. He was never a master at winning league titles, even with Milan. Surprisingly, at Chelsea, Carlo ended up winning the league title and getting beaten in the champions league at home by the eventual champions. Prior to this, Roman also had to wait till the last match day of the champions league to see if we are progressing through to the knockout rounds.
We’ve been ‘missing out’ on champions league for 6-7 seasons now. There’s always been some final hurdle – either in the form of a ghost goal or a corrupt or inept referee or something like that. Every season, we’ve been saying that ‘the champions league this season belongs to us’. Pretty much like the Liverpool fans and the premier league dream. It’s only not so bad.
Wanna see you do it again in May!
Carlo Ancelotti is a two-time champions league winner. There are only two more two-time champions league winners in the business now – one of which he’s facing next week. Winning the champions league twice means that he certainly knows more about this competition than many managers. But at this stage of the competition and beyond, he’d have to deal with really top managers to the extent that his special advantage is kind of neutralised. Consider this – the winner of the champions league this season could either be a third-time winner (Sir Alex or Jose) or a second-time winner (Pep). That’s how competitive it is now.
It is often said that champions league is won or lost by the small details. Shoot me for saying this – I don’t think Carlo Ancelotti is a man of details. That’s based on my observation of him as the Chelsea manager. I’ve not seen enough evidence to believe otherwise. What is my definition of a ‘man of details’ then? Well, that’s generally visible in how prepared our team appears, how we deal with key players on the opposition side, the timing and nature of substitutions, the adaptiveness in our playing style, in-game tweaks, changes in our formation and line-ups depending on the opposition or occasion etc.
You know what makes 'that' man smile . . .
I think Carlo is more strategic than tactical. He is more long term than short term. Clubs and their legacies are built with long term mindsets. Trophies are won with short term mindsets. Very few managers do both. I see Carlo being more long term and less short term in his approach. This is where a tactical assistant manager would have helped him immensely. That’s why a Carlo Ancelotti + Steve Clarke combination would do wonders.
So how do I think he won two champions league titles then? I don’t know. May be, the thing about details is a bit overrated. May be, he had top guys assisting him on the ‘details side’. May be, he is a details man and I’m wrong.
Champions league this season is very important. We’re probably best placed this season to win it than we were in the earlier seasons. The league distraction (sour grapes, you see) is not there. We have a full squad of fit players to choose from. We are very motivated to win it this time. I see you’re wondering whether I realise that we’ve lost the first leg at home. 1-0 defeat at home in the first leg of a champions league knockout round is not horrible. It’s a deficit of course but that’s about it. The advantage is with Man Utd. But given the circumstances, we should be able to go there and do the business. A 2-1 would do.
Like I said, I will forgive Carlo of all mistakes that I think he committed this season, if he progresses this Tuesday. If Chelsea win the tie on Tuesday, we would most probably face Schalke in the semi finals. With due respects to the German team, we should fancy ourselves in the champions league final in Wembley, a stadium that’s been our hunting ground. A season where your team reaches the champions league final cannot be a bad one.
C’mon Carlo! Get past Man Utd, all will be forgotten!
I still feel King Carlos will prove himself again but it may not be dis season.As u say I agree to ur long term mindset opinion….so if not dis season den definitely next season is ours..
Excellent piece.At last an honest, reasoned and considered appraisal of the “matter in hand”. So who do you think will be his successor? There is only one name that jumps out at me, that covers all the negatives you highlight in Ancellotti. Furthermore he brings true leadership back to the party and has the profile worthy of a World class club. Ockham’s razor?
I felt this a bit rambling…6 of one, half a dozen of the other and very contradicting in different ways. Maybe now since you are writing on the Chelsea blog you need to temper your words and be much more politically correct. The bottom line is that this we be our worst season since roman took over the club on the basis of results after the manure game come Tuesday. Then if we look at the teams play, it is one of decline rather than improvement with many players below their best for whatever the reason. No one is attacking Carlo personally but in any professional sport we need to look at results and what the coach had to work with and ask ourselves did he underachieve or overachieve? I think Carlo grossely underachieved and for that should go. I could categorize where he has failed but for now will hold on that. But the other point is unless you find someone better we might as well Carlo keep the seat warm. Mourinho is the best and a man of details and a winner but doesn’t seem to have it in him to stay anywhere long. My plan would be to get back Hiddink who will revert our style to one which suits the team. Then get someone like the sporting coach who has big wraps on him as the next Mourinho to be his assistant who them will be groomed to take over or we wait a year, and them make a play for Guidiola from Barcelona who has announced he will leave them in 2012.
BC, it’s amazing that you still don’t understand that the current Chelsea team simply doesn’t have a quality to go far in Europe. We have never had flair and creativity but were winning domestic stuff due to physicality which is gone with the age. Ancelotti is not a magician to suddenly turn over the situation, he’s not even that good to foresee the future potential of his players a year before. Tuesday night we’ll be out of the Champions League.
sachin Belavadi,
What in heaven’s name leads you to that conclusion?
Agree Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba..come Tuesday we will be out as the writing has been on the wall for a months now….when we are made to look ordinary by the Stoke or Wigan’s of this world, 2 recent performances, then we need to ask serious questions of the coach. Wilkins recent comments (against manure) put the finger on Carlo and his tactics and the gutlessness of the players. Now this is someone who was on the inside of the tent. Yes, it’s not all Carlo’s fault but the legacy built up by others is being destoyed and not that slowly.
=======Cech=========
Essien=Ivano=Terry=Cole
Lampard=Mikel=Malouda
Ramiez=Drogba=Torres
My team is based on:
Bossy is suspect in defense hence Essien.
Essien is caught out positionally as a holding midfielder while his attack is wasted as a holding mid.
Putting Rammy on the right striker position allows him to keep Evra quiet and assist the midfield if need be, while allow him to play is natural game of going on surging runs.
Drogba seems more fired up as late and needs to start in the centre.
Torres will play left striker but in reality will inter-change as he sees fit and provides quality as you don’t lose that overnight.
We play 4.3.3 and not 4.4.2
Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba,
We never had flair or creativity? Interesting.
Tremayne Craigg..I think Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba, means we have many players who are of a similar style…athletes like essien, mikel and ramirez who have other qualities comapred to the deco’s or modric’s who are then very different players. I would agree, as with Deco, though he was past his prime he could hold the ball and attract players to him only to retain possession and or off load. also in the past we had out and out wide players like Robben or Duff whereas now with have midfielders playing as wide players or central strikers like Kalou and Anelka being made to play in wider positions…I think in a squad you need to have a diversity of styles which is another reason why we are suffering.
I don’t know but i get a feeling that from tomorrow onwards i will not be watching football on TV until the new season opens!
Let’s call Sturridge and Borini back and sell Drogba and Nico and Malouda!
I don’t think the problem with Chelsea this season is the manager. I think the issues that have put the club where it is are reasonably obvious.
The addition of an out-of-form striker isn’t going to change anything. Yossi Benayoun might, Alex might — but it’s a bit much to pin your hopes on two men who probably aren’t first-choice players and who are just back from a long injury layoff.
So I admit to being pessimistic about Tuesday. The unfortunate thing is, Chelsea’s side of the draw is so inviting. Inter and Schalke look like sieves. A win against United is almost a spot in the finals.
Should Chelsea somehow reverse their form, I think it would be one of the greatest victories in recent club history.
Nothing is foretold. This is why they play the games. And why we watch them. It could happen. I’ll hold onto that hope.
“I see my future with Chelsea,” said Sturridge.
“I don’t have any other aims but to become a regular there.
“If I can achieve that, then great, but if not I obviously would have to assess what’s going to happen.
“But I’m a Chelsea players and I love playing for the club.”
I was waiting for when BC would bring up this topic or discussion. Why do we think Carlo’s future hangs on this tie? Well , cos, over the course of the season he’s been saved by his achiievements of last season. I have seen Carlo’s body language since our “bad moment” started and i have come to see him not as a leader but a team player. He works best when he is not the one taking the vital decision but rather taking it in consultation with others. He lacks the personality to affect the players. He lacks the motivational skills to steer the team when things are going bad. All we hear about Carlo is he’s a nice man and a fine gentleman. Well i am sure he is, but those close to Tony Pulis, mark hughes, even Sam allardyce will tell u they r all “nice men”. People hated Ze cos he was all about his team. he does everything to ensure his team wins. We all loath Old Red Nose cos his only priority is his team and he will do anything under the sun to give them an advantage. For a manager history is history, the most important thing is the NOW. I would love for us to have a manager for the long term. A stable regime at the club to lead us for many successful years to come. However , i do feel , long term Carlo is not the man. I am well aware that we cannot be smashing 7 and 8 past teams all the time, but can any guy or lady on this forum tell me he trusts Carlo to turn things around when the “bad moment” rears it’s ugly head again? (heck we r still in it). This dreadful form has been ongoing since November and all we hear from our manager is that “we shouldn’t lose confidence”. The performance and form of Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borrini even Scott Sinclair should be an indictment on the manager.He is stuck in his ways and sticks to what he knows.No wonder he stuck with players he was farmiliar with at 35 and 34 at Milan. Cos he was afraid of change. He has had the tools but hasn’t used them well. I dont like to live on false hope. U know u have a chance at old trafford when ur team is playing well and can get under the opposition’s head. However we r in our third “bad moment ” of the season and it doesn’t look like turning around anytime soon. Van Gaal has lost his job at Bayern, even though he won everything bar Big Ears last season. Why didn’t Bayern stick with him, cos i am sure he’s a “fine personality”. I know we cant win all the time fellas, but i do believe something is wrong in the team when the manager can ire the player’s up and is scared to take off certain players even when they r not playing well. I am resigned to the fact that our season will most probably will end this week. Will the board be quiet and just watch things deteriorate? Something is bound to give. I have always backed Carlo but i am afraid i no longer believe. Sad but true.
MatBlue i think you have come upon something when you said you have
“come to see him not as a leader but a team player”.
It has intrigued me that the plkayers haven’t started snipping in these bad moments like with Scolari, this very long bad moment where we have not got results and have dropped out of competitions meekly without barely a whimper in 3 and soon to be 4 cups. I would say he is in a power sharing situation with key players who are not going to go against him because he is giving them a very big say in running the team. Hence, no leaks to the press and agitating behind his back. It would also explain why some players form has totally dropped off the planet which reinforces that they are unhappy with the clique’s power sharing of the managers duties. Also it would explain why some players can continue to be in the team no matter how poorly they perform with others not even getting a look in for 10 minutes at the end of a game. In my view something is very wrong with this team with Carlo’s fingerprints all over the corpse.
trisdin
It is shameful to be a fan of the same team as yours, you are the sort of glory hunting vulture who has absolutely zero understanding. If the players started sniping you would say ‘see he has lost the dressing room’ , if they dont then they share power with him and dont want him to leave. Give us a break.
They are all professionals okay, this is not some grand scheme to fool the great trisdin, these players have won many trophies and are the current holders of both the league and FA cup.
Has it occured to you that maybe a gruelling last campaign then a world cup has sapped our players??
They seem worn and i am very sure would return to their best when they get the offseason break,almost all of them are starters for their international teams, and have been playing non stop for more than a year now. You cannot win titles every bloody season, ‘carlos fingerprints all over the corpse…’ could you get more dramatic, this is football not some grand mafia movie… get a hold of yourself and if you cannot then go and support Barca or Manu, good riddance to bad rubbish…
I agree that a Steve Clarke figure would be a great addition to the coaching staff. We did well with him and Ray Wilkins at various managers’ sides. In this sense, I think we’re missing the wise old English guy as the manager’s right hand man. But yet, I admit that’s not the root of the problem.
While I haven’t been amazed by Carlo’s performances, I think a bigger issue is that the team is too unbalanced between older players and younger players. Let’s face it, a lot of our key men are 30 or older. Even if some of them are still very good, they’re past their prime and starting to break down. Consider the ages of these guys:
Drogba = 33
Lampard – 32 (33 in May)
Anelka – 32
Malouda – 30 (31 in May
Terry – 30
Cole – 30
Benayoun – 30 (31 in May)
I think it’s important to have some thirty-somethings in the squad, but it’s a problem when all of them are your best players who are needed game in-game out.
All we need to hope is an early goal.I would take an ugly win @ OT then destroyng Man Ure and still nt getting the result
Arsenal, the next billionaire club. Wenger finally has the money to spend. I always said that in a couple of years Arsenal would owning us all. If he can manage a top 3 finish every year with such a limited budget. If he can find top class players on free transfers. Imagine what players he can find with 50m? As soon as they start winning, Fabregas will want to stay. He is most likely person to succeed Xavi but I think a 250k a week salary and loads of championships can persuade him to stay. Akinfeev maybe their new goalkeeper. They are likely to get a new back line. They are likely to get new wingers and another striker. New facilities. Probably a stadium expansion. Who knows. Arsenal even if they do splash can repay it. Chelsea can’t. Manchester United can’t, they are in too much debt. Arsenal, the next big thing.
trisdin,
Me being on the official Chelsea blog has nothing to do with my views. Your comment actually undermines my self-respect. I don’t appreciate it one bit mate.
Well I don’t know what those ‘obvious’ problems are. Nothing every unusual and unique happened to us this season. Plus, I too don’t think the problem with Chelsea this season is the manager. I only think the manager did not address the problem well enough.
Hmm! Quality, flair and creativity – What makes you think champions league winners have this more than Chelsea has had? The fact that Porto won the champions league in 03-04 should negate all your arguments in this regard. What about Liverpool in 04-05? Were they the best team then in terms of quality, flair and creativity? Not even in the top 5 I guess. If we have never had flair and creativity, how did we manage to devastate Barcelona (the No.1 team in flair and creativity?) and be denied only by a corrupt referee? How was that possible? If we have never had the flair and creativity to win the champions league, how did we manage to get ourselves in a situation where just one spot kick would have made us European champions?
Too many questions there. Expecting your responses.
I know.
BC, that’s the whole issue, we came close but couldn’t win it! Why weren’t we able to beat United at normal time in the final 08? We drew and lost on penalties because we didn’t have creativity to win it. We matched Barca’s creativity with our physicality but still that wasn’t enough to win the whole thing. Regarding Porto and Liverpool, the former had Deco at his prime and the latter had Luis Garcia, Kewell and Gerrard at their primes. So even the weakest Champions League winners had more flair in their midfield than Chelsea. This season the team looks completely finished but it amazes me that you still expect something out of nowhere!
BC, after Tuesday I’ll make a post that summarizes the problems. It will essentially repeat what I’ve been saying all season.
This squad is terminally flawed and if Chelsea are to enjoy future success it will have to be overhauled.
Formation Tomorrow.:
————-Cech———–
Ivano–Alex–Terry–A.Cole
—–Ramires–Essien——
-Benayon———Lampard-
——-Drogba–Torres——
Sub:Hilario,Bosingwa,Mikel,Zhirkov,Malouda,Anelka,Kalou.
I think resultate positive with man utd 1-3 chelsea.
formation:
4-3-3 or 4-5-1
they must go hard at manyo from the get go …. force the issue.. show some heart!!!
————————–cech———————
ivanovic———Alex———terry——–Cole
—–Essien ——mikel———lampard ——-
Ramires——– Drogba———– Yossi——
Sub: Turnbull, kalou, Torres, malouda, Anelka, Bossingwa, Yuri.
that mid field 3 has enough experience of playing with each other to play manyo very well and provide enough cover. key to get yossi creating… so that when torres comes on… they start to link up !
Chelsea new home kit 2011/2012 as modelled by Frank Lampard.
http://chelsea.theoffside.com/gallery/kit-watch-2011-2012-edition.html
What do you think guys?
Vous êtes Francais?
I’m not crazy about it. I’ve loved the last two seasons’ shirts. But my figure doesn’t need hoops on it! I also don’t like the collar. The shoulders are alright.
I’m just not sure that either Alex or Benayoun can go 90 minutes. This will be only the second match since their return from injury.
WXWAX,
Oh well. Squad being ‘terminally flawed’ is the ‘obvious reason’ that you were talking about. No wonder I didn’t see it. We have a squad many managers would die to manage. My question remains the same. Under any other manager (say Fergie) would this squad produced the same output?
I agree with your team selection!
Let us not just forget that even a 2:1 for us would see us through, i think we can do it! :)
Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba,
That’s not right. If JT had managed to hit the back of the net, we’d now be calling this a champions league winning squad. Winning champions league in the penalties doesn’t mean lack of flair. Also I think you’re over rating the influence of Deco and Luiz Garcia. Deco blossomed in Barca. Luiz Garcia wasn’t even in the contention. Against Barca, we created numerous chances and had them panic with our attacks. We did not match them physically. Now you’re talking like those journalists who write about Chelsea without watching us play.
Question: in the first couple of months, when we were running away with the league, how much flair and creativity did we play with and where did it all go?
Yes I don’t. Waiting to see your spin.
BC, I don’t agree with you. This is football, we can debate about IFs all day long and we’ll come nowhere. Chelsea came close to win the Champions League because we had a strong quality squad but still didn’t win it. We have had billions to buy young creative players like C.Ronaldo, Deco (at his prime), Xavi, Sneijder etc. but instead we stuck with aging Lampard and Essien. You are wrong, Deco played an instrumental role in Porto’s Champions League success, that’s why Barca bought him. The midfield of Garcia, Alonso, Gerrard and Kewell had more creativity that the Chelsea of the last 3-4 years. One doesn’t have to be a genius to realize that Chelsea has had a static midfield of Lampard-Essien-Ballack-Mikel for many years with no player to create a surprise effect like players whom all Champions League winner sides had. Yes, we could win that holy grail should Terry score that penalty in Moscow but the issue is not one night but many years when we didn’t win it.
Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba,
Since Roman arrived, only 5 teams have won champions league: Barcelona, Man Utd, Inter, Liverpool and Milan. Chelsea can beat any of these teams. We bear Barcelona over two legs but only Ovrebo messed it up. We beat Man Utd but JT’s is probably one of the most unfortunate in football history. When we lost to Inter, it was an upset. We were stronger on paper and we still lost. You know as well as I know how we fare against Liverpool.
My point is, we have a squad that is one of the best in Europe that can beat any of these champions league teams. We had and have a aqua that’s worthy of winning the champions league when you look at what it takes to win the champions league.
Flair and creativity is a non-statistical thing. We can forever disagree on it. As I said, earlier this season, when we were running away with the league, weren’t we playing wig flair and creativity? Was that magical?
As a manager, one should either get the best out of this squad or ensure that you get the players that you want to make the squad – both these are integral part of a manager’s job.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1375880/Well-thwart-Roman-Abramovich-Rio-Ferdinands-lock-prolong-Chelsea-wait.html
bluelion, thanks for sending the link to the shirts for next season. I’m loving our new home jersey. HUGE improvement over the current, awful home shirts (what genius thought to infect Chelsea blue with Man U/Liverpool/Arsenal red?). And how bad ass is our third shirt for next season. Looks a little like Germany’s outfit but who cares – it’s as cool as they come.
And whoever designed and approved Chelsea’s current third strip should be fired on the spot. Awful. It’s a football jersey. Not a neon glowstick.
I agree with BC, we have been strong enough to win the Champions League few times for last 5 years but we didn’t not because we couldn’t but because we weren’t let to! And yes our current squad is strong enough to win the much coveted trophy but i don’t know what UEFA have it slated for us tonight. We must never forget what had happened to us at the Bridge 6 days back, poor Ramires!
Good luck to the Blue Army!
NO. This squad seems strong but actually its not.
We cant win against MU in this AWAY match. Draw is the best we can get from it.
Get rid of carlo now as Manchester City is dropping more n more points. No point worrying bout the champion league spot.
Get a new manager and start preparing for next season.
Manchester United vs Chelsea – Battle of the Champions
Its Manchester United vs Chelsea at Old Trafford, a titanic battle which will go down to the wire.
Catch all the latest action and build up to this massive game at Chelsea FC News
http://www.thechelseafc.com/2011/04/manchester-united-vs-chelsea-man-utd-vs.html
Thinking further , If carlo goes , who will be the replacement candidate ?
- Jose .. May also go to City .( they may offer more money and better transfer budget) .
- Hiddinck – My personal favourite, who thought the world how to hold Barca.
- Louis Van Gaal ??
Any others ?
the new chelsea kit is out….
must say love the white third kit……reminds me of the germany kit….wonder if ballack had anything to do with tht..lol
the home kit’s great too love the white stripes on tht……its like the training kit from the 08 season which was awesome!!!…..
its there on the official site…chk it out…
ummm i don’t think carlo’s gonna leave….nah next season he’ll have more time to work out the formations……and i actually don’t mind staying 3rd or 4th in the league for the next year or two…..and i know i might face some backlash for tht….but we need to integrate sturridge, mc eachran, kakuta, borini(bloody amazing), lalkovic, mellis, van aanholt and bruma so tht we have a young squad thts gnna be able to start challenging the big guns from 2013 hopefully………
Quoted ” I’m not against Carlo, the man. But I’m certainly critical of his ‘methods’ ” . I completely disagee with that, I am judged based on my work not my personality or ‘manness’. I do not give a damn what kind of person he is, results are what matter at the end of day.
Ancelotti’s future with chelsea has been already decided. He will be out. However, he proved me something. Italian managers [Except Mancini :)] are great at signing new players. I know signing player is a group task but look what kind of players came to Chelsea by Italian managers: Vialli, Ranieri and Ancelotti. when you compare names with those who brought to Chelsea by Grant and Jose.
I have never liked Ancelotti. I always believed he himself does not win anythnig in Milan, his players win trophies. Check the player he had in Milan.
Anyway, we need a win today, can we do it? it is not impossible, we did it before but I do not think we will do it today. We have no creativity in middle of park. The only creative player is Malouda and is form is very fluctuated. one day good, one day bad. So, teams have easy job agianst us. It is easy to get a draw from Chelsea.
Roma is waiting for Carlo, and if Carlo get a job Chelsea does not need to pay his salary, I think Carlo will be sent to Roma by Chelsea at the end of season.
I want him out not because he might no win anythnig this season, not becasue we were out of race early. because his decisions caused us games, because he proved to me he cannot bring out a team out of crisis by his decisions.
FTW:
———————–Cech——————————
————————————————————
- Ivanovic ——Alex——Terry——Cole————
————————————————————
———————— Essien —————————
————Ramires—————Lampard————
————————————————————
–——Benayoun——Torres—— Malouda ———
you know it’s our best shot people….
The new home kit for next season revealed. It’s absolutely horrendous. Looks like a fucking lollipop.
That must be back to the design table please.
http://theshedender.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Chelsea-home-shirt-2011-12.jpg
The away kit on the other hand is seriously cool.
http://theshedender.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Chelsea-goalkeeper-shirt-2011-12.jpg
Sir Red Nose and all his mind gaming is getting a bit mundane and tedious. I think Benayoun has been getting everybody fired up for tonight and made the team hungry for success.
I predict a 2-1 win to us, in fact I’m already arranging tickets for the Schalke game.
KTBFFH
Sorry just realised it was the goal keeper kit the white one, still cool though
@Malagantz: I completely agree.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/8444406/Alan-Smiths-guide-to-how-Chelsea-can-beat-Manchester-United-at-Old-Trafford-in-the-Champions-League.html
The only thing Fergie would have done differently is use Daniel Sturridge. That might have made a big difference after Sturridge erupted with goals, starting with a reserve match on January 6th.
That’s a good article of course I’m not saying Drogba shouldn’t play but if your going to use Torres at all, you’ve got to start him and start him with Yossi.
Then if Torres doesn’t perform you add Drogba and if Malouda or Bennyoun don’t play well you can introduce Anelka or if you have the balls and/or the game looks lost throw in the McEachran.
If we don’t score at all that will be the saddest outcome for me.
maysam, I guess you meant ‘you completely agree’.
? Alan Smith wants Drogba to start ?
Yes We Can !
Guys,
I have due respect for Essien but tell me why he is on the pitch. It is so sad to see him play like this. I feel like crying why are we playing him ?
No, at the beginning of the season we weren’t playing with flair! Weak teams were scared of us and we were just beating them. We lost the first big test – Man. City. Where was the flair you are speaking about at that game?
Ovrebo, Ovrebo, Ovrebo! All big teams have had their own Ovrebos at some point in time. Remember, how United got knocked out by Porto in 2004 when Scholes’ goal wasn’t given though there was no off-side. Remember, how Milan was knocked out by Barca in 2006 semi-final when Sheva’s goal was not given though he didn’t faul on Puyol. I can go on and on. Yet both United and Milan managed to win the Champions League years later. Even if we did beat Barca that year where is the guarantee that we would beat United in the final? Ovrebo is just an excuse!
And tonight enjoy the last day in the Champions League this year.
Roman might as well get it over with and fire Carlo tonight.
the only player that deserved respect tonight was Drogba.
Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba,
What about the last season then? We played and beat all big teams too. We raked up 100+ goals. No flair? You’re having a laugh!
You’re missing my point about Ovrebo. See, we have not won the champions league yet and we all know that. My point is, we have a squad that can win / could have won the champions league. The point is, for God’s sake, not about ‘did we win the champions league?’. We know we haven’t. Do we have a squad that can win / could have won the champions league? Hell yes!!!
Did Liverpool ever win the premier league title? NO. Did Liverpool in the last 19 years in the premier league ever had a squad that could have won the premier league title? YES.
Mahyar,
No we couldn’t
Sacking Carlo is way way way too harsh. He had a great coaching team and chemsitry with Ray Wilkins and the others and then Abramovich had to destroy that. Now its harder than ever for our beloved Ancelotti to get his message across and motivate players and the like. So we have the mistake of sacking Wilkins and the mistake of spending an entire 50 mil on a player who hasn’t played well since 2008 and is the definition of overrated.
Please Mr. Abramovich here me and stop meddling like this. Take your spy Emmenalo out of the team and let ancelotti bring in his own assistant or a chelsea legend. What is the point unless he’s using this as a spring board to bring in Avram Grant as sporting director :( :( :( .
Just like how Bennyoun was a spring board for bringing Torres and Ramires for David Luiz.
@ MoLKa: Stop being so homophobic and starting troll fights on BC shout just because I insulted Abramovich a bit….. grow up son.
That is the essence of why we have failed so miserably this season. Lots of people in this forum does no recognise that, but read Ancelottis book and you will realise how important Ray was to Carlo
So last year’s double was probably the swan song for a Chelsea core of veterans that has won 3 EPL titles, 3 FA Cups and 2 League Cups.
Good men. Proud achievements.
The end of an era.
Tough game. United always more clinical than us over the two legs. Rooney’s on fire right now. Chicharito is a real danger – so quick and always making good runs. We had trouble with those two.
Inevitably, talk will focus on Torres, Abramovich and Carlo. Torres should be benched. It’s painful to watch him out there. Drogs is in better form and deserves to play. The strategy of letting Torres start most games and hoping he breaks his scoring duck isn’t working. Bench him and wait for next season to come around.
Abramovich will always meddle in the team. Its the downside of having him as owner. You just hope he’ll eventually learn his lesson.
Carlo will be under some real pressure now. I hope he’s given another year to prove his worth, but I bet Roman and the board have already made their minds up, whatever that decision may be.
Good news this evening is that my local home town team Brighton will be playing Championship next season. Congrats Poyet.
Home town and getting to support a Chelsea legend! Thanks for that, probably never would of known until next season.
Actually the one who missed the point is you, not me. I have written several times that we might win the Champions League but didn’t because we didn’t have creativity. Physicality can get you close to the trophy at some point but in the long-run you’ll always be at the loser’s side – that’s exactly what happened to Chelsea. Milan side of 2003-2007, Barca of 2000-2010, United of 2007-2010 all had different levels of creativity and they all won the Champions League at least once and played the final at least twice. Chelsea is not in that list because we didn’t have creativity.
In my opinion, what would Fergie have done with Chelsea this season:
(a) Played Sturridge more often and wouldn’t have sent him on loan (as you mentioned)
(b) Would have given opportunities to Bruma and van Aanholt which would helped in players not getting burn out
(c) Would have certainly dropped Essien or Lampard or both for few matches
(d) Would have ensured that the players give their 110% every bloody time they step on the pitch
(e) Probably would have got pissed off with our crossing and might have done something about it
(f) Might have definitely used Josh McE much more – would have used him to motivate (threaten?) Lamps/Ess
(g) He loves to have pace in the line-up so Kakuta would have been at least on the bench
(h) Would have had much more in-game impact due to how to responds to the game events
(i) Would have created the fear in the minds of the players that if they don’t give their best, someone’s waiting to grab their place.
That’s all I could think as of now.
Arsenalic_smile_of_Drogba,
Creativity is a means. Winning the champions league is the end. Could we have won the champions league? Yes. In our squad, we have creativity. You would have certainly seen it in our 100+ goals last season. Basically, that shows the players have it in them. It’s a matter of getting the best out of them. We may not have individual geniuses like Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka etc. We are a champions league winning team in our own right. You’re really underestimating Chelsea’s capability.
I repeat if Liverpool of 04-05 can win the champions league, we could have won it twice, squad-strength-wise.
So that’s a sorry end to the season. Oh well, there’s always next season.
The good thing about the signing of Torres (could there really be a good thing about this !?) is that he’s about 27, he’s still got 3-5 years of his apparent ”prime” to give to the club. Come next season, and this is if he finds form, we could be setting ourselves a good transitional period in terms of shifting our old guard out and ushering in the youngsters from our fantastic youth team. Check this out:
Drogba/Anelka: Age 32-33
Torres: Age 27
S.Kalou/D. Sturridge: Age 22-24
See the pattern ? Once Torres finds his feet, Drogba & Anelka can be slowly transformed into “squad players” with them eventually being sold. All this while, Studgy and Kalou can work their way into the team with Torres spearheading our attacks. Even if these guys fail, we’ve got Borini, Kakuta, Lalkovic and the like at our disposal.
And this is not only applicable to our strike force. Our aging midfield of Lampard, Benayoun, Malouda can be replaced by Josh McE, G. Tore, Jacob Mellis and the like with Zhirkov and Ramires and Essien being the guys sandwiched in between this transition.
Many of you on the blog are right. We’re a team in transition. Look at our Youth team, they’re one step away from a final in the FA Youth Cup, a trophy they’re defending ! Patience is all that is needed.
KTBFFH !!
Chelsea never looked like winning today. Hope we come up better next season. Carlo deserves a chance for what he achieved last season. But only a last chance.
Yes, we saw Chelsea’s last year creativity against Inter Milan. And Liverpool of 2005 had more creativity than Chelsea. It’s useless to debate with you!
BlueGenes,
I like your thinking, BlueGenes. Too many so-called ”fans” are calling for his head.
Stability is the cornerstone of a team’s success. It’s what separates a ‘good club’ from a ‘great club’. Of course, it’s not the only thing that is needed (hint, Arsenal) but it is essential (Sir Red Nose ?) for a team’s long term success a.k.a, ”the trophies never stop flowing into the cabinet”. Stability is what will convert ‘Chelsea FC’s Ancelotti’ to ‘Ancelotti’s Chelsea’. It will give the manager a status amongst the footballing fraternity, none more than the players in the dressing room. It will make the manager the boss in actuality, meaning any little slip-up and you’re a benchwarmer.
What made Liverpool of the ’70s, Madrid of the ’50s, United of the ’90s and ’00s and Barcelona of the ’00s and ’10s ”great teams” ? It’s the fact that the manager is in-charge. What can bring that more effectively than stability ?
Keep the faith, guys. Enjoy this season without much pressure.
KTBFFH !!
Liverpool of 2005 had more creativity??? I too think it’s utterly useless to debate with you. At least something we agree.
But we haven’t. It’s not FIFA virtual football or whatever
DanaBlue,
It’s good to see people who understand football ;)
Danish TV and journalist noticed something very interesting before the match. The way Carlo arrived at OT, he looked worried and bemused. The players body language was dismissive and showed very little confidence and enthusiasm. Warm up was laboured and dreary.
DanaBlue,
Please check this out . . .,
@BC it’s not enough to have the squad on paper, or the right manager, owner, luck etc. All parameters have to enter a higher level of sublimity. Not before will we hold the big eared trophy up in triumph.
One guy who really redeemed himself tonight was Drogba. He played like a man possessed. Show’s that even at 33, he still has a lot left in the tank.
There’s a massive difference between a hard 10 month long tournament and a cup competition
DanaBlue,
Exactly. To put the blame on the squad is just simply lazy. We have a fantastic squad with some brilliant players. Because we have not managed to win the champions league doesn’t mean the squad is not good enough to win it. There are so many other parameters too.
LOL! Now I can’t make this easier than this – Why has an X team not managed to win a Y trophy? The answer cannot be that they don’t have a good squad, especially if they have done well in the Y trophy, though they have not won it. Or at least, with the little football knowledge that I may have, I’m not buying that. I’m sure I’m not the only football fan (I’m not an expert like some of you guys) who’s on this side of the fence.
Carlo just made a stupid mistake. Blaming Ramires. http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-chelsea-fc/2011/04/12/ancelotti-blasts-chelsea-midfielder-after-red-card-64767-28510350/
Ancelotti needs to learn to self criticise. He made the game plan. And it was obviously to all, but him that he started with the wrong team. Sir Red Nose confirms that by stating that the only surprise to him was that Alex started.
Everybody saw vs Wigan that to play Torres and make Torres dangerous we also have to plat Benayoun.
Lastly the X-mas tree formation we played today does just not work for us. Keep that shitty tactics in Italy.
LOL as well, I feel you are deliberately trying to misunderstand. So let’s just leave it.
OUT: Carlo A., Bosingwa, Hilario, Malouda and Anelka
get back Sturirdge, Mancciene, Kakuta, Sinclair, Taylor
we need a hungry manager not past champion manager
Exactly that’s what I was thinking of some of you guys (‘not wanting to understand’). Am I having a bad day? Of course, it’s easy to guess . . . :)
DanaBlue,
I don’t think Carlo did anything wrong there. Though the headline says he blasted Ramires, he didn’t say anything to deserve that headline. Plus, I can visualise this. The reporter would have asked Carlo, “Carlo! Would you say Ramires put Chelsea under pressure by getting the red card? Do you think the red card affected the result?”.
Carlo’s response: “Ramires needs to stay more calm and quiet. He had a yellow card already and it was not good for him to get another one.”
In all fairness, that was a very passive comment on a deserved sending off of your player.
Arghhh, give me those millions Carlo is earning and I will make Chelsea champions of Europe.
If u say this team is strong then wads the problem out there?
Yea..MANAGER.
No more excusese and chances.
So FUCK OFF Ancelotti you dumb ass.
The one big flaw in Carlo today. His selection not tactics. Manchester United can only be beaten with width. 4-3-2-1 is naturally narrow. He needed Bosingwa in this game. The physicality of Drogba would have tired the defenders, he should have told him to do that and unleash the pace around 60 minutes.
Here we go:
Cech
A.Cole – Terry – Ivanovic – Bosingwa
Benayoun – Mikel – Ramires
Benayoun – Anelka
Drogba
At the time Torres and Kalou are unleashed the formation should have looked like this.
Cech
A.Cole – Terry – Alex – Ivanovic
Benayoun – Mikel – Ramires
Kalou – Torres – Anelka
Anelka will become apart of the pace and heavily relied in attack because for the first 60 minutes he should have been instrumental of retaining possesion and laying it to Benayoun, Drogba, anyone in a better position. His is wasteful lately.
The main threat wasn’t Giggs. I know it sounds crazy but listen. We intend to mark the left side and right side. Not a particular player. Manchester United are really no different to Bayern Munich. As long as you take away the width, sounds crazy, but no one can stop you as long as you take away their width. Giggs was positioned in the center today to fool Carlo. Nani and Valencia were intended to be the ones that Fergie wanted marked. He would then use Giggs, hence 2 assists, 2 goals. Giggs can easily be shut down. Shut down the width, Giggs will never go there. The midfield is already packed so no way through.
The other threat other than the width. Rooney. Keep him quiet. How? It is like keeping Drobga quiet. I don’t know how to. Get him angered and get him sent off. Brilliant tactic from Jose Mourinho applied to take out Peter Crouch. I wish we did that in the 1st leg. Does it work? Ask Cristiano Ronaldo.
So again, Carlo is fooled by child’s play from the master. How many times must I say. He is not a tactician. Added by the fact that without Ray Wilkins he knows nothing about English football.
I can guarantee you, If Steve Clarke and Ray Wilkins weren’t here, Alex Ferguson would have already retired or maybe still managing but with 21 titles looking for his 22nd.
I am really not surprised. We would have won without tactics but we lacked the hunger to do so. Wasn’t revenge enough to fuel John Terry, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba? He did score but Manchester United answer back within seconds.
Here we go again with the sack Carlo Ancelotti posts. Onward folk.
DanaBlue,
it did work. It helped to contain Manchester United for a while, but we did not have enough practice. Any tactic can work anywhere if you practice. My post assumes practice is over.
This isn’t 2010.
It’s 2011.
And in 2011, Chelsea have scored 55 goals in the Premier League. They’ll end up scoring a little more than half what they did last season.
Nothing ever stays the same, especially in sports. Last year is meaningless.
I feel Carlo has to go . Roman doesn’t play MM$ to be out of all trophies by beginning of April .. He has no clue to stop the rot during Oct – Dec. If he felt it was bad for letting Ray go, then he himself should have quit ? why stay .
Adding to all your points, Fergie’s team might not have lost 3-0 to Sunderland at home
Dying before the actual death is awfully painful! :(
Our defense was so shaky this year, nothing has changed so far.
Terry and Alex are not good enough. Everything United get ball, they threatened. But we don’t have better defenders than Terry and Alex.
I feel so bad for our Drogba. The man was excellent, maybe this was his last chance to win CL, the only title missing from his list.
The mistake that CA did today was starting Malouda and Torres, instead of Kalou and Drogba..
Now everyone has to look back and admit that we are/were not good enough.
Sad day for chelsea fans…i cant slp after the loss….anw i agree stability is the key…but chelsea need game plan and tactics to win games like tt…not always the same tactic…something mourinho does….can ancelotti do it…if he can,i hope roman give him a chance and buy the players he need for next season/
Actually we have the strongest defense in the league measured by goals conceded. We had our slip-ups in this tie but overall, defense isn’t the problem with the team.
WXWAX,
Thanks. We had a fit squad for a large part of the season. Our rivals had worse injury situations than us. Why did our goals tally come down by half? How did our talent vanish?
And what did we do to prevent this?
Rors21,
We are attacking team, so most teams don’t attack us much rather they defend, that is why we don’t concede goals much.
If you see the statistics, many goals this year we conceded in counter-attack.
I’m not sure why everyone’s bashing Carlo. His tactics this game were much improved.
The only problem tactically was that maybe Lampard and Malouda’s positions should’ve been switched. Lampard didn’t look comfortable getting passes with his back to goal. Malouda was doing well with his dribbles past O’Shea. Also, Anelka was there in between the lines to provide the link-up play that was absent in the 1st leg.
Having so many bodies in the middle of the pitch meant Nani and Park came into the middle to help Giggs and Carrick. And we all know that Giggs and Carrick left alone under pressure would be highly suspect defensively. With them coming into the middle of the pitch, we had space on the wings. But our fullbacks are bad at crossing. And…
Torres is just out-of-form. Drogba would be much better to receive crosses. And he simply has so much more energy and commitment.
I felt we had a chance with the tactic, as opposed to the 1st leg, where it just looked horrible. But really, Lampard is nothing like he used to be. Torres is way out of form. Watching Chelsea now, you get a sense that they don’t really believe they can win. Ramires and Luiz are usually exceptions to this, and for last night, Drogba as well. Liverpool is playing with so much more life than us now.
i don’t think we should drop Carlo. He’s not always been perfect, but it’s not all his fault. Ferguson often plays tactics that may be inferior on paper, but his players do what they need to do well. Chelsea needs to be reenergised and get some fighting spirit back!
Out: Nico, Bosingwa, Malouda, Ferreira, Hilario, and may be Kalou too!
Buy: Midfielder (Odemwinge/Javier Pastore/Kagawa/Kevin De Bruyne/Willian), Right back (Van Der Wiel) and a striker if we let Drogba, Nico and Kalou leave (Lukaku/Aguero/Neymar/Dzagoev)
Drop to the bench: Lampard, Essien, Mikel, Drogba
Call back: Sturridge, Cork, Borini, Kakuta and Bruma
Promote to the bench: Bertrand, Liam Bridcutt (Poyet nurtured him well in League 1) and Woods
Regular starters: Cech, Ashley, Aanholt, Bruma, Terry, Luiz, Alex, Ivanovic, McEachran, Kakuta, Cork, Ramires, Benny, Zhirkov, Sturridge, Torres, Borini
Status quo: Mancienne
We should have bought: Van Der Vaart or Ozil
We should have kept: Stoch and Christian Eriksen
Only 1 Chelsea LION showed up last night and we all know his name, thank you Didier for showing the likes of Torres and the rest of the team how a game should be played. A mixture of passion, strenght, aggression and obsession, Drogba displayed it all, sad to see none of his team mates could compliment him by showing the same attitude. I’ve always had respect for Didier and after last night, mt respect for him has doubled.
Only one fall guy for yesterday. Carlo!
Why should he play torress ahead of drogs when the latter has been our best player in the past four games. Drogba has been the most creative of our players, setting up assists and making attempts at goal. Torress has done nothing practically nothing. Yesterday lineup would have been fine if Drogs had started. And for all those complaining about Lamps game its just not fair. Lamps has never played well in a 4-4-2 formation. The strength of his game is to make assists and strikes at goal. Ancelloti has consistently sat him deep in midfield to make way for his wet dream Torress. It just shows Ancelloti does not really know his team. If he wanted to play 4-4-2 he should have subbed lamps.
The other flop in Ancelloti’s setup yesterday was in defense. I do not think Alex deserved a start and he should have been subbed earlier. Iva is reliable in defense but he is not useful going forward. Ferreira or Bosignwa should have come in much earlier.
So my conclusion is Ancelloti messed up biggerly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2011/04/torres_pick_backfires_on_ancel.html
So carlo is at fault for everything??
Lampard has not been even a fifth of the player he was, the past Lampard would have scored 2 in the first leg and 1 in this match atleast and we would be going through, Carlo is no magician or fortune seer, he cannot predict how and when a player just looses it.
Malouda, maybe not this match but for much of the season, has been our worst player, last season he was our best under this very same coach, what happened to him?
Essien, the player we all loved is truly lost, he has been absolutely tatters this season and i partly blame Ghana, he hasnt looked the same player since those awful injuries, his stamina is gone and so has his energy.
Terry has looked very suspect at times, the loss of Alex to injury for most of the season and Carvy to Madrid really weakened our defence, maybe Luiz will be the cure for next season.
Bosingwa, enough has been already said.
Add to that an injury prone Zhirkov, an uninterested for much of the season and partly Malaria-d Drogs, injured Benayoun and an out of sorts and out of form Torres.
What is absolutely clear is that 80 per cent of the squad couldnt be bothered, were not up for it or missing that energy and desire. I partly also blame the toll of last season and the world cup, most of our players havent had a proper rest for 2 seasons now, compared to Manu who are fresh, the likes of Smalling, O’shea, Brown, Evans, Fabio, Rafael, Chicharito and many more have had a lot of rest.
People point to Wilkins but these same players were dipping before he left, name one player who had been playing really well before wilkins was sacked and then went bad?? i cannot think of one.
Day before i watched the POOL match and the commentator said something that i agree with completely, he said now the players know that they have to perform because the fans and the club are totally behind the manager and the players are being watched very carefully, no more can they get away with calling for the managers head like Hodgson, if they dont perform they will be condemned not Kenny. which makes them play out their 200 per cent.
Mark my words these same players (with some additions and subtractions) and the same manager after some months to put their feet up, will look divine, dont become bandwagonists and glory hunters like other teams. This is the test for true Chelsea fans and if Carlo is sacked, it will solve bloody nothing.
TRUE BLUE FOR LIFE…
Humiliating display of management, team selection, spoiled rotten players, lack of hunger, same old problem of no creativity and finishing up front, old age, lack of clear instructions, Poor Poor quality of backroom staff, bunch of inexperienced novices as Carlos deputies, complete embarrassment for the blue fans, Still the core of team remains same from JM’s years plus the fact that we have had 3 1/2 managers and 3 assistant managers replaced. How have we not managed to realized that our poor show is not cause of lack of marquee signings rather complete overall of a large number of players especially a slow and midfield already past its prime. Its a complete shame, really bad bad display of proactive correction of issues. Torres needs settling in, use him as a supersub or something, imagine greats like JT, Lamps, Ashley, Cech, Essien, Drogs, Nico all finishing their career soon not present replacements and also to top it off none have won CL. Get a recognized Asst Manager and more experience in backroom staff, people like Clement are novices against our lot. Gutted by last night, although that was expected, we cannot make chances why? we need a complete revamp of our training etc..
come on people! Ancelotti was forced to play Torres and he never asked for Ray Wilkins to get fired.
CHELSEA LEGEND ZOLA said:
‘I know Carlo and his background. He’s a fighter, he never gives up as a person or a manager. He’s a manager who has done very well for Chelsea and I’m sure he will be thinking how he can come back stronger.
‘I don’t know which players he thinks can stay with the club . All the Chelsea players deserve respect for what they have done. They have done so much for the club whatever the current problems. Some players will leave the club and Ancelotti will know exactly what to do.’
‘It’s very difficult when you have two big strikers like they have. He decided to go for Fernando and I can understand why he did so. It didn’t work too well at the start but in the second-half it was better.
‘No matter what decision he makes it is the wrong one for some people. You have to do what you think is best for the team and believe in it. I’m pretty much sure Fernando will be an important player for Chelsea, he’s been bought not just for now but the future.’
‘It was very painful for me.The difference between the two sides was Ryan Giggs and unfortunately he was playing for United. We went out against a great team with a great manager.’
Carlo needs to go .. Bolton can get the better of Sturridge , Borini is scoring.. why couldn’t carlo use them in Nov ..
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2011/04/12/2438687/this-was-one-failure-too-many-for-carlo-ancelotti-chelsea-need-a-
Another Italian – http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1376489/Marcello-Lippi-wants-Carlo-Ancelottis-Chelsea-job.html
Don’t even know if he knows English
I totally agree that we conceded too many counter-attacking goals this season. Still, Man U and Arsenal are attack minded teams and they have conceded more league goals than us. So I still think Chelsea’s defense isn’t the main problem with the team this year.
BC or WXMAX,
Unrelated request to the Man U game – could one of you post something outlining the Uefa Financial Fair Play Rules? Specifically, when do they go into effect. I’m still confused as to whether the recent spending splurges on Torres and Luiz will count or whether UEFA won’t start monitoring annual revenue until 2011. Since the press is hammering Chelsea on being behind in catching up to UEFA’s targets, I want to be clear on this. Thanks.
BC or WXWAX,
Unrelated request to the Man U game – could one of you post something outlining the Uefa Financial Fair Play Rules? Specifically, when do they go into effect. I’m still confused as to whether the recent spending splurges on Torres and Luiz will count or whether UEFA won’t start monitoring annual revenue until 2011. Since the press is hammering Chelsea on being behind in catching up to UEFA’s targets, I want to be clear on this. Thanks.
Lampard is F****ng garbage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only reason he still plays is because he is English. WHAT THE F(*& are with his free kicks? We might as well tell Captain Terry to take them. He plays like he is handicapped.
Rors21,
You can check these articles I had written for the official Chelsea website:
http://blogs.chelseafc.com/?p=690
http://blogs.chelseafc.com/?p=758
Cheers!