Having told the Russian billionaire that Chelsea are a bit
boring, the new manager is considering a move for Real Madrid's
Wesley Sneijder should he miss out on Franck Ribery.
Ribery, along with Xabi Alonso, was named by Ancelotti in his
book, Preferisco La Coppa, as the kind of player Chelsea
need. "Chelsea are a strong team, a physical team doing very well,"
Ancelotti said on Monday in the kind of statement that can be
interpreted more than one way.
"They can be improved with some creative players. We are looking
for these creative players. Ribery is, for sure, a great, great
player. But Ribery, I think, he will stay in Bayern Munich. Madrid
can buy Ribery, I know. Not only Ribery, but Alonso as well. I know
how many players Madrid can buy."
It was all said with a smile and it was the kind of smile that
was a reminder that Ancelotti had not always been totally honest in
the past. Indeed there is a quiet confidence at Chelsea that
despite the allure of Real Madrid and Bayern's pledge to try to
keep Ribery, they still have a chance.
Ancelotti had hoped, before the furore over John Terry, that the
big player news on Monday would be his announcement that Chelsea
had signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow for £18 million. Chelsea
had held back on confirming the deal until the new manager started
and the Russian joins Ross Turnbull and Dean Sturridge as new
recruits.
The Italian still wants countryman Andrea Pirlo but appears to
have been convinced by the Chelsea board that Milan's price is
prohibitive for a 30 year-old, while Ancelotti will talk to Andrei
Shevchenko, who is scheduled to return from a season-long loan, to
find the best "solution" for him.
That probably means the striker being allowed to leave. There
were warmer words for Didier Drogba, while Ancelotti is aware that
the negotiations to sell Ricardo Carvalho and Deco to Inter Milan
are collapsing.
Whatever the make-up of the squad, Ancelotti's targets are
certain. He has to win the Champions League and, preferably, in
style. He is also aware, and laughed at the reminder, that no
manager has completed a full season at the club since Jose
Mourinho's departure. "We have to change this," Ancelotti said. "I
think I can do great work here."