Ancelotti urges Blues to grab title chance

07 May 2010 12:28
Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has warned his players there is no room for error as they approach the biggest game of the season against Wigan.[LNB] Victory in their Premier League clash with Latics at Stamford Bridge on Sunday would deliver the title for the first time since 2006 in the Italian's first season in charge.[LNB]But a draw or defeat would, almost certainly, hand the crown to reigning champions Manchester United.[LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson's side take on Stoke knowing they need a favour from their North West rivals to stand any chance of keeping their title.[LNB]And Ancelotti has reminded his players there is no second chance if they blow it on Sunday.[LNB]"To be champions, we have to play as we played against Stoke and against Liverpool," said Ancelotti.[LNB]"We have to maintain the same confidence in our play, the same determination, because nothing is decided. We have to pay a lot of attention. There are no more games. If we miss our chance now, there is no chance to recover.[LNB]"We are in a very good situation. We wanted to arrive at the end of the season with more points. We have one more, but we can decide our own destiny at our home ground, Stamford Bridge, and that is a good thing.[LNB]"We have to play one more game, though, and nothing is decided yet. But we have a great opportunity and a great possibility because the team is fit, in good condition and has fantastic motivation for this game.[LNB]"We have to be ready, but we have to play for 90 minutes. We come to play this game, to try our best. They have a very good team and beat us earlier in the season, so we have to pay attention. "[LNB]Ancelotti is impressed with the manner in which his players have overcome setbacks during the campaign to haul themselves into pole position for a title triumph.[LNB]"This season, we had some problems but every team has a problem during the season. The most important thing is that, when the problems came, we were able to move on quickly.[LNB]"This season, really I didn't have strong problems to resolve. We had some difficulties, lost some games, and had difficult moments after the Manchester City and Inter defeats, but we moved on very quickly.[LNB]"This season my players worked very well. Every one. A lot of players didn't play for five or six months but, when they played, they played very, very well.[LNB]"This means that the group worked very well during the season and maintained always a good motivation, even if players didn't play. Look at Paulo Ferreira, for example."[LNB]Ancelotti continues to insist that having a defender who was stripped of the England captaincy following lurid headlines about his behaviour off the field, and a left-back whose marriage was destroyed by his alleged affairs with other women, is all in the course of a normal season.[LNB]"I think that was not a problem for me," added the Italian. "Those were personal issues and they - Ash and John Terry - were able to keep these problems outside this training ground, so I never spoke about the personal issues of my players.[LNB]"If they needed to speak with me about this, I would have been able to do this and help. But if they don't ask me to do something, it's not my problem. They didn't ask. Absolutely not."[LNB]Ancelotti will go into the final game against Wigan knowing that a win will not only earn him the title but also put the team on the brink of an historic League and FA Cup Double.[LNB]But the Italian is determined not to take all the credit for such an achievement.[LNB]"I'm working for this club and want to do my best for this club," he added modestly. "For sure, if we win, I'll be very happy because it would mean we did, together, a very good job. But personally, I will be happy, that's all. Normal."[LNB]There is also the unresolved matter of new contracts for Michael Ballack, Nicolas Anelka and Joe Cole but Ancelotti insists there is no problem with any of the players.[LNB]"Joe Cole will stay here," he declared. "In January I said that no one would come in, and nobody came in.[LNB]"So I think that Joe will stay. We have 10 days to wait because the club will speak with Joe Cole, and the other players that are going to be at the end of their contracts, after the FA Cup final."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk