RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Chelsea Comment: Carlo Ancelotti Could Live Or Die By His January Buys
The former interim Blues boss Guus Hiddink might be waiting in the wings...
18-Nov-2009 5:27:16 PM
Reports emerging on Wednesday suggested that Chelsea executives will fly to Spain on Monday with the hope of agreeing a deal with Atletico Madrid starlet Sergio Aguero.
If the young Argentina striker can agree personal terms — a sizeable stumbling block — then the club will look to seal a deal with his club worth a reported £40 million, a British transfer record.
Depending on how much faith you put in such reports, the Blues will then turn their attention to procuring Franck Ribery’s signature, for another vast fee that will send a clear message to Chelsea’s rivals.
The likelihood of two such mammoth deals going ahead in the transfer window can certainly be debated, but what is sure — if one goes through it will ratchet up the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian has enjoyed a great start to life at Stamford Bridge, but as has been mentioned before and will continue to be mentioned for a few months yet, so did former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Despite his blistering start, the Brazilian was out of a job by February.
Such an outcome does not have to befall Ancelotti. Baring a similar collapse to that endured this time last year (something that with Ancelotti’s healthier relationship with his players looks unlikely) the 50-year-old should have few worries about his immediate job security.
If Roman Abramovich sanctions a few £40 million signings, however, the equation changes somewhat. The Russian will want to see a return on his investment, and will want to see league and cup victories come the season’s end.
After all, there is a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.
Arguably until he wins the Premier League or Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti will have the spectre of Guus Hiddink looming large over him. The Dutchman re-floated a sinking ship last season after Scolari walked the plank, and got the side playing disciplined yet attractive football that almost rescued a season that looked destined for ignominy.
Blue man | Chelsea want Aguero in their colours
While many have credited Ancelotti for his start to this campaign, an equal number have been quick to suggest the Italian has simply tweaked with the healthy system Hiddink left him.
And with the veteran international manager still a technical director at the club, his influence is still felt at the highest levels.
With the Dutchman currently in charge of the Russian national team, however, there is no immediate threat to Ancelotti’s position.
But if Russia lose tonight in their World Cup playoff with Slovenia — a result that might see them miss out on South Africa — then Hiddink will likely vacate his role, sending the rumour mill into overdrive come Chelsea’s next defeat.
For his part, the Russian is clearly waiting for the right offer:
"My future remains unclear and from November 18 I could be a free man," Hiddink said last week.
"It’s flattering that the Russians have given me the chance to sign a new contract and stay with them until 2012.
“[But] I don’t want to go through with the Russian offer at this stage.
"I’ve also been approached to join the elite board at PSV Eindhoven, but I’ve turned that down."
Chelsea’s probable transfer ban might discourage a lot of potential managers, but it will not put off Hiddink, nor reduce Abramovich’s interest in the 63-year-old.
After all, last season Hiddink did not have a transfer window in which to make purchases. Instead, he worked with the tools he had to mould a very good side.
Why could he not do that again, especially if he would be taking over the same group of players with one or two high-profile additions?
Born winner | Hiddink revived Chelsea last term
Ancelotti currently enjoys the full backing of the board, but Hiddink’s short but memorable legacy has still clouded his early work.
If, under the Italian’s direction, the club do spend big in January on a player like Aguero (which is looking increasingly likely), that will only increase the pressure on the former AC Milan man to deliver the game’s biggest prizes.
But so far Ancelotti has dealt with every obstacle in his path with consummate ease. There is no reason to suggest come crunch time next season it will not be a similar scenario.
But if Hiddink keeps turning down other offers, Abramovich will know he has at least one option if he feels he is not getting value from his latest big spend.
Alex Dimond, Goal.com UK
If the young Argentina striker can agree personal terms — a sizeable stumbling block — then the club will look to seal a deal with his club worth a reported £40 million, a British transfer record.
Depending on how much faith you put in such reports, the Blues will then turn their attention to procuring Franck Ribery’s signature, for another vast fee that will send a clear message to Chelsea’s rivals.
The likelihood of two such mammoth deals going ahead in the transfer window can certainly be debated, but what is sure — if one goes through it will ratchet up the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian has enjoyed a great start to life at Stamford Bridge, but as has been mentioned before and will continue to be mentioned for a few months yet, so did former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Despite his blistering start, the Brazilian was out of a job by February.
Such an outcome does not have to befall Ancelotti. Baring a similar collapse to that endured this time last year (something that with Ancelotti’s healthier relationship with his players looks unlikely) the 50-year-old should have few worries about his immediate job security.
If Roman Abramovich sanctions a few £40 million signings, however, the equation changes somewhat. The Russian will want to see a return on his investment, and will want to see league and cup victories come the season’s end.
After all, there is a ready-made replacement waiting in the wings.
Arguably until he wins the Premier League or Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti will have the spectre of Guus Hiddink looming large over him. The Dutchman re-floated a sinking ship last season after Scolari walked the plank, and got the side playing disciplined yet attractive football that almost rescued a season that looked destined for ignominy.
Blue man | Chelsea want Aguero in their colours
While many have credited Ancelotti for his start to this campaign, an equal number have been quick to suggest the Italian has simply tweaked with the healthy system Hiddink left him.
And with the veteran international manager still a technical director at the club, his influence is still felt at the highest levels.
With the Dutchman currently in charge of the Russian national team, however, there is no immediate threat to Ancelotti’s position.
But if Russia lose tonight in their World Cup playoff with Slovenia — a result that might see them miss out on South Africa — then Hiddink will likely vacate his role, sending the rumour mill into overdrive come Chelsea’s next defeat.
For his part, the Russian is clearly waiting for the right offer:
"My future remains unclear and from November 18 I could be a free man," Hiddink said last week.
"It’s flattering that the Russians have given me the chance to sign a new contract and stay with them until 2012.
“[But] I don’t want to go through with the Russian offer at this stage.
"I’ve also been approached to join the elite board at PSV Eindhoven, but I’ve turned that down."
Chelsea’s probable transfer ban might discourage a lot of potential managers, but it will not put off Hiddink, nor reduce Abramovich’s interest in the 63-year-old.
After all, last season Hiddink did not have a transfer window in which to make purchases. Instead, he worked with the tools he had to mould a very good side.
Why could he not do that again, especially if he would be taking over the same group of players with one or two high-profile additions?
Born winner | Hiddink revived Chelsea last term
Ancelotti currently enjoys the full backing of the board, but Hiddink’s short but memorable legacy has still clouded his early work.
If, under the Italian’s direction, the club do spend big in January on a player like Aguero (which is looking increasingly likely), that will only increase the pressure on the former AC Milan man to deliver the game’s biggest prizes.
But so far Ancelotti has dealt with every obstacle in his path with consummate ease. There is no reason to suggest come crunch time next season it will not be a similar scenario.
But if Hiddink keeps turning down other offers, Abramovich will know he has at least one option if he feels he is not getting value from his latest big spend.
Alex Dimond, Goal.com UK
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
4 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
David De Gea Vs Aerial Balls, Old Trafford Vs Suarez and other Key Battles as United look to take revenge against Liverpool
Goal.com looks at the key battles as Manchester United welcome Liverpool to Old Trafford with both Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez looking to play a part...
-
Media shy, silently arrogant & irrationally stubborn: 5 reasons why Abramovich should not be a cry baby
Calm from the outside, cranky from the inside. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey gives a few tips to Roman Abramovich on how to handle the club's sensitive confidence levels...
-
Can Luis Suarez repeat Eric Cantona's grand comeback when Liverpool face Manchester United?
The divisive Uruguayan can look to history when he starts against United on Saturday for the first time since receiving an eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra
-
Liverpool's Midfield Is Equally At Fault As Their Forward Line
Though the attention tends to lean on their misfiring forwards, Liverpool's midfielders are as much at fault for their team's current position...
-
This Week That Year - The Munich Tragedy that shocked the world of football
In yet another edition of This Week That Year, we look into all the historic footballing events in the first full week of February....
Advertisement
Advertisement
