Source: Telegraph
John Terry is Chelsea's 'most important' player claims Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti has upped the ante in his praise of John Terry, hailing the captain as Chelsea’s “most important” player after the defender finally announced that he would be staying at the club.
Following Chelsea’s victory over Club America, which completed their pre-season tour to the United States, the club’s new manager said: “Terry is the most important player at the team, not only for the other players but as a man and for his professionalism. We are very happy to have him here, not only me but all the club is happy.
“And, I think, John Terry is also happy to stay in this club also. But I was always sure (that he would stay) because he has a contract with the club. It's good news and this is a good evening for us, all round.”
And also a stormy one – with the extraordinarily violent thunderstorm which rung around this breathtaking state-of-the-art stadium throughout the second half. Chelsea were sheltered from that by the roof which was shut partly to protect from the searing Texan heat that had hit the 100s Fahrenheit. There was even air-conditioning throughout what has been billed as the most expensive stadium in the world.
And Chelsea were sheltered from further concerns that Terry may push for a move by his statement.
On the field they largely fielded a second-string team but still eased to victory against the Mexicans of Club America with late goals from Franco Di Santo and Florent Malouda.
It meant that Chelsea retained a perfect record of four wins from four matches – with just a single goal conceded – on their pre-season tour as they flew back to London last night. This victory and the ones against Inter Milan and AC Milan also meant that Chelsea won the competition, the so-called World Football Challenge.
After the final whistle, Terry, who had not played in this match, lifted the glass bowl, awarded for winning the competition while Ancelotti expressed his pleasure at the club’s tour. “We played this game at the right moment,” the Italian added. “We did 10 days in Cobham (Chelsea’s training ground), working hard, and now was the moment to play. We played well in America, we have improved the team, we grew and we are ready to start the season now. We worked well and now we are ready to start winning trophies.”
The attendances for Chelsea’s matches have been impressive even if this stadium was not full. In total 274,945 supporters have watched Chelsea play and start to find their feet under Ancelotti – more than the previous record tally which was achieved by Manchester United six years ago.
They have seen the style of football that Ancelotti wants – four midfielders playing in a diamond shape with two strikers – and now it will be interesting to see how he juggles the personnel and whether he feels the need for more recruits. There will certainly be some departures – the strikers Andrei Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro are prime candidates – while Ancelotti ponder who can adequately perform that holding midfield role.
The goals came in quick succession with Ashley Cole, a substitute, finding Malouda whose dangerous chip was met by Di Santo on the volley and he steered the ball into the net. Then the young Argentinean returned the favour, forcing his way to the by-line and steering the ball towards Pizarro before it was deflected to Malouda an he side-footed home.
Di Santo is wanted on loan by Blackburn Rovers and Ancelotti will now consider whether to keep him for the season. “Di Santo is a good young player who moves very well out on the pitch, with and without the ball,” Ancelotti said.
“He had to be more cool in front of the goalkeeper, but he scored a good goal and put in important work for the team.”
Before that Chelsea had twice hit the post – with a header by stand-in captain Ricardo Carvalho and another by Salomon Kalou. Both opportunities were provided by Malouda who impressed, as he has to as he faces the challenge from new signing Yuri Zhirkov who has more chance of dislodging the France international than he does Ashley Cole in his preferred position of left-back.
The Mexicans – backed by greater support – threatened little and Chelsea switched things around at half-time. They left America last night with a successful tour behind them, capped by Terry’s commitment.
Chelsea (4-4-2): Hilario (Turnbull, h-t); Mancienne (Ivanovic, 67), Alex, Carvalho, Hutchinson (A Cole, 67); Sinclair (Di Santo, h-t), Essien, Deco, Malouda; Kalou (Pizarro, 64), Sturridge (Shevchenko, h-t).
