I’m steadfastly reserving judgement on Mr. Ancelotti. Or rather I’m trying.
Over the past few weeks as the rumours about him joining Chelsea have intensified, I’ve found it hard to overlook his poor domestic record or his one-dimensional experience (where he clearly suffers in comparison with, say, Hiddink).
But I have to say that as a supporter of the club I find the focus he has placed on the Champions League in all his interviews to date a little disconcerting. During his interview on Chelsea TV – the transcript can now be read at chelseafc.com - he barely registers the existence of the league, rather waxing lyrical about the ‘beauty’ of the Champions League.
I fully understand Abramovich’s supposed desire to win Europe’s premier cup competition, and lord knows it would be great to put the disappointments of the last five years to rest by lifting the thing. But I would suggest that the team’s first priority should be to tackle winning the league head on, not least because winning the Champions League relies not only on ability but also on luck.
It is interesting that, in complete contrast to his new manager, John Terry’s end of season message to the fans doesn’t even mention the club’s prospects in Europe next season. Instead, he focuses purely on third place not being good enough, placing emphasis on improving that next season. And I think the fans agree with him.
Who's right - Ancelotti, or Terry? Let me know, post a comment…
Our greatest ever manager, Jose, made sure that we dominated the league first and foremost and gave Europe a good crack as well. I totally agree that we shouldn't be placing so much emphasis on a cup competition in which our chances are ruined every year by extreme bad luck or shocking refereeing; the league does not lie and it is the primary competition to excell in.
Imagine if we draw barca in the quarters and then we're out again. We drift home in 3rd or fourth in the league and then what? How is that progress? Personally I'm worried about Carlo's prorities and i'd take the league over the CL any year.
Posted by: TrueblueNeil | 03 June 2009 at 13:10
I'd take the league too. I'm a season ticket holder, and this is the bread and butter we pay to watch week in, week out. The CL's a bonus. Totally agree with TrueblueNeil that we can't prioritise something that relies on luck. Have to aim to win the Premiership, and put our best foot forward in Europe and see how our luck goes. How do you plan for Norwegian referees???
Posted by: KD | 03 June 2009 at 14:00
Another interesting article in the Guardian on prioritising the CL over the League. Very interesting. Also an absolutely classic line: "England has never had a team that deliberately selected the Champions League at the expense of all domestic competition – we'll assume Liverpool were doing it by accident a few years ago."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/jun/03/carlo-ancelotti-chelsea-champions-league
Posted by: KD | 03 June 2009 at 16:36