Targets: Ancelotti is aiming for a domestic and
European double in his first season at Stamford Bridge
Carlo Ancelotti has warned Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa
Benitez that he will rise above their mind games and win a stunning
Barclays Premier League and Champions League double in his first
season in English football.
The new
Chelsea manager, who spent last season locked in a
bitter rivalry with Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho, said he
is battle-hardened enough to see off the
Manchester United and
Liverpool managers.
Ancelotti is used to working under pressure and had no
hesitation in targeting a domestic and European double in his debut
season at Stamford Bridge.
Asked what he would consider a success in his first campaign, he
said: ‘The Premier League or the Champions League, or maybe even
both. It won’t be easy but we will try to do it.’
The former AC Milan manager is familiar with the type of mind
games which prompted last season’s bitter exchanges between
Ferguson and Benitez as they duelled for supremacy in England.
Ancelotti said: ‘It happens all over the world, exactly the
same. I will say this: little things worry little minds. I don’t
care about that. I had a little bit with Mourinho. But it’s not
something that bothers me.
‘What I worry about is getting the team ready, preparing the
team to beat my opponents, to win against Liverpool, Manchester
United and Arsenal.
Head to head: Ancelotti is unfazed about doing
battle with Benitez and Ferguson
‘I have respect for all of them. I like to play in the
Premier League because it’s such an important championship and I
want to win something.
‘It is not just about the Premier League. It’s also about Europe
where we are in a position where we also want to win.’
Chelsea’s pre-season tour to the United States has been
overshadowed by the transfer talk surrounding captain John Terry,
who is expected to announce over the weekend if he is going to
Manchester City.