Chelsea News Round-up Part 2
By dixon9
September 18 2010
Ancelotti says Chelsea are his best attacking side ever, Smertin claims Abramovich doesn’t exercise any undue influence on team selection or tactics and Sturridge denies he’s arrogant and states earlier media claims were unfair – although Ancelotti says he must do better than his display against Zilina in the week.
Better than Milan
After our flourish of goals at the end of last season and our blistering start to the current campaign, Ancelotti has stated that has never been involved with such an attacking side as this Chelsea one.
"We have so much talent up front.”
"I gave all my players a copy of my autobiography today and told them they're hardly involved in the book because there's only one chapter on Chelsea in there. I told them I'd like them to be more involved in the next book I do. I haven't been involved in a side like this before.
"People talk about the Milan side with Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten, but we didn't score a lot of goals in that team. It was a team with a precise identity, defensively. I remember we did once score eight at Foggia, but most of all I remember Fabio Capello taking me off at half-time in that game when we were losing 2-1. I was substituted and we went on to win 8-2."
Sturridge: “I’m not arrogant!”
21-year-old striker, Daniel Sturridge was labelled arrogant by the media since Man City for Chelsea and has hit back at those claims in the press this week:
“I had some negative things around me when I joined the club,' said Sturridge.
“It was very hard for me to handle because I did not have my family around me. It was a hard stage in my life, not only in my career, but in my life as well.
“Some people had the opinion that I was an arrogant guy and I didn't work for the team and that hurt me a lot.
“It hurt me because I didn't believe it. Never in my life have I been an arrogant guy and it was very hurtful to hear people say things like that about me because I know I am not that type of person.
“Obviously, you then go home sometimes and feel very, very upset and you don't know what to do. For me, when that type of stuff was going on, it was very hard for me to be alone. I just want to show everyone that I am not that type of guy.
“When I was here on my own, the players helped me a lot. They put their arms around me and told me to keep my mind on football and not worry about anything because my time would come.
"Now I feel I am a Chelsea player and part of everything. The team has been here has been together for a long time and it was very hard for me to become a part of things. The boys made me very welcome when I first joined the club; they showed me a lot of love but I believe I have become a better player and I hope I can play more often with these world class players.
“Carlo Ancelotti is the best manager I have worked with. He gives you huge confidence and has huge faith in me. Hopefully I will be able to repay him."
Must do better
Despite scoring his first goal in Europe against Zilina on Wednesday, Sturridge has been told he must improve if he wants to stake a more regular claim for the first team:
“He’s a Chelsea player with good quality. He could do better. I expected more of him on Wednesday and he knows this.
"He has fantastic ability, and I’d like to see these skills and ability more in a game. He scored with fantastic movement, but we need to see more of that.”
Smertin on Abramovich
Former Chelsea midfielder Alexi Smertin has offered further testament to those who claim that Abramovich does not interfere with match day team matters:
“I talked to him probably more than any of our guys because we speak the same language, said Smertin.
“At every game, even away from home, he would come to the dressing room and would be wide-eyed, like a child. He would want to know what the players were thinking during specific parts of the game and why they made certain decisions. That is why I definitely respect him. He loves football.
“As an owner, he is far from the team. I only ever saw him just after a game. He knows he is not a manager.
“In Russia, it often happens that the chairman comes in to a dressing room saying, Lets do this and makes orders to the players. Roman Abramovich is different. He is a proper owner.”
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Three years ago Sturridge destroyed us when Money Citeh won the Youth Cup - I am glad we have got him, attitude or not
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Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Quote:Since 66
The only attitude I want to see from Danny is when he scores goals. The pass from Yossi was class, the finish by Danny was excellent, the dance well.....
Yep! The goal celebration definitely needs sorting out!
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Quote:Since 66
Florida PK. Should have gone in April but the Volcanic Ash cae along
Should be nice.
My good mates gone to the US at the moment as well (staying for a month!)
When are you coming back? You dont want to be missing Londons Finest visiting your ground at the start of October
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Have Chelsea got a 'ticket exchange' like feature where you can put your tickets online if you cant make a game?
Quote:PKGooner
When are you coming back? You dont want to be missing Londons Finest visiting your ground at the start of October
Are we playing our reserves on that date then?
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Getting too old for all this new technology malarky? Though 66 appears to have the hang of it
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:09:21:16:39:45 by PKGooner.
Looks like Fabrege aka Brut will be out when u come a visiting
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Not after that mauling last night
'Your the w*nkers your the w*nkers your the w*nkers from the lane'
bad game to miss last night what a p1sstake. passed up my 2 as couldnt get time off
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:09:22:15:00:05 by PKGooner.