Source: Team_Talk
Carlo dreams of glorious Blues decade
Carlo Ancelotti has declared his intention to remain at Chelsea for the next 10 years, and bring stability to Stamford Bridge.[LNB] Although there was an element of tongue-in-cheek about how easy his first season at Stamford Bridge had been, it seems the Italian has had a ball.[LNB]After overcoming the not inconsiderable setback of the Champions League exit to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, Chelsea scorched to the Premier League title, cushioned by a goal deluge and then survived the concession of a second-half penalty in the FA Cup final at Wembley to beat Portsmouth and record the first domestic double in their history.[LNB]Little wonder Ancelotti was able to wear a satisfied smile as he assessed the progress that has been made.[LNB]It should not be forgotten that during the eight years he spent at former club AC Milan, Chelsea went through a staggering six managers, with only Mourinho laying down any kind of marker.[LNB]Ancelotti does not feel such a scenario is healthy - and he certainly has no intention of vacating the Stamford Bridge hotseat any time soon.[LNB]"If every season is like this one, I would like to stay here for maybe 10 years," he said.[LNB]"I am ready to sign a new contract. It is better to have stability for the club and also for the manager.[LNB]"It is not easy to change every year."[LNB]A meeting will be held between Ancelotti, football director Frank Arnesen and the Chelsea hierarchy, presumably including Abramovich, to determine plans for next season.[LNB]Already it appears there will be no substantial changes. And while Ancelotti has no wish to fall-out with Mourinho, the Italian squashed flat any suggestion that he might be willing to sell Frank Lampard to Inter Milan.[LNB]"I have a very good relationship with Mourinho. Don't break it," he pleaded.[LNB]"But this story is a joke. Lampard will stay here.[LNB]"When I started last season, there was a problem with John Terry and Manchester City.[LNB]"Every time I said no, John Terry will stay here because he is important. I don't want to do the same with Frank Lampard. He will stay here."[LNB]Portugal duo Deco and Ricardo Carvalho seem less likely to survive, whilst the issue of a new contract for Joe Cole remains a vexed question.[LNB]There will be new arrivals, although perhaps the most notable addition will come from the treatment room, where Michael Essien, such a driving force in midfield, has spent most of his season.[LNB]"I don't know what areas I need to strengthen," he said.[LNB]"We have a lot of players injured who will be ready for next season, including Jose Bosingwa and Michael Essien.[LNB]"We don't need a lot of changes but maybe one or two players could arrive."[LNB]It seemed a bit harsh on Ancelotti that the champagne corks had not stopped popping in the Chelsea dressing room before thoughts turned to the one that got away.[LNB]Whether the hunger of Abramovich for his team to win the Champions League is being overstated is difficult to assess.[LNB]After all, the mega-rich Russian has never spoken of Europe being a Holy Grail himself and his jubilation as Chelsea collected their second major honour of the campaign was a throw-back to his first couple of seasons in charge at Stamford Bridge, when everything was new.[LNB]Yet a tilt at Europe is now expected of Chelsea next season, a task Ancelotti does not believe is beyond his team, even in its present form.[LNB]Inter Milan - and Jose Mourinho - might have got the better of Chelsea this term, but don'ttry telling the Italian they are too old.[LNB]"These players are not old," he countered.[LNB]"When you have a lot of players under 30 they are not old. They are in the middle of their careers.[LNB]"Maybe we can change some things for next season but we don't need to change a lot of players because of their age.[LNB]"I am sure about this."
