In less than ten months Ancelotti has given Chelsea the new identity that their owner craved, transforming a group of pragmatic professionals in Jose Mourinho's mold into great entertainers who have thrilled their fans by scoring 60 goals in 18 home matches. More impressively, Ancelotti has achieved this change with the same players as his predecessors — Yuri Zhirkov was his only significant signing last summer — and the Russia full back has barely featured.
So how has he done it? Unlike Mourinho, whose myth and memory still cast a shadow over Stamford Bridge, Ancelotti is not given to grand gestures or sweeping changes for the sake of it, but he has made several subtle refinements to a talented squad. Matt Hughes of the Times breaks down the subtle changes that has helped Ancelotti put his stamp on Stamford Bridge.
Strike Partnership - Ancelotti set the tone for the new attacking Chelsea in the first game of the season against Hull City by pairing Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in a new diamond formation, a bold move rarely risked by those who managed the side before him. Although Ancelotti has since reverted to 4-3-3, Drogba and Anelka have remained in the side, producing their best performances since the France striker joined the club 2½ years ago.
Anelka’s goals have dried up since the end of January, but he was prolific in the first half of the season and with three matches remaining Drogba has already equalled his record haul of 33.
Deferring to Frank Lampard - Ancelotti started with Lampard at the top of the diamond, but soon changed tack after sensing the England midfield player was more comfortable making late runs from deep. “He has the quality to play at the tip, but for him it was better to start the action a little bit deeper,” Ancelotti said. Lampard has responded with his most prolific return of 25 goals, all the more remarkable given that he has been operating as a defensive midfield player for England.
Liberating Florent Malouda - The France winger has been Chelsea’s most improved performer and has attributed his renaissance to the confidence given to him by Ancelotti. Malouda’s pace, crossing ability and close control have given Chelsea an added dimension as he demonstrated in the win over Manchester United this month, restoring a devastating threat down the left not seen since the days of Arjen Robben and Damien Duff.
Game for a laugh - Notwithstanding these tactical switches and examples of shrewd man-management, Ancelotti’s most important contribution has been to alter the mood at the club, with the result that playing for and even watching Chelsea has become fun again. “We work hard on the training ground, but off [it] we are fairly light-hearted,” Lampard said. As a serial joker Ancelotti uses humour — often of the smutty variety — to keep his players relaxed and encourages them to express themselves on the field for the full 90 minutes.
Quick recoveries - Chelsea are as resilient as ever, as they have demonstrated by responding to setbacks in an impressive fashion. It is four years since they lost successive Premier League matches and Ancelotti has ensured that any blips remain just that. The 7-0 defeat of Stoke City eight days after defeat by Tottenham Hotspur is symptomatic of how they react in adversity, which bodes well for Sunday’s trip to Anfield, where Ancelotti will attempt to lay the ghost of Mourinho on the ground that caused him so much suffering. If he can, Chelsea’s new identity seems sure to be immortalised in silverware.
So how has he done it? Unlike Mourinho, whose myth and memory still cast a shadow over Stamford Bridge, Ancelotti is not given to grand gestures or sweeping changes for the sake of it, but he has made several subtle refinements to a talented squad. Matt Hughes of the Times breaks down the subtle changes that has helped Ancelotti put his stamp on Stamford Bridge.
Strike Partnership - Ancelotti set the tone for the new attacking Chelsea in the first game of the season against Hull City by pairing Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in a new diamond formation, a bold move rarely risked by those who managed the side before him. Although Ancelotti has since reverted to 4-3-3, Drogba and Anelka have remained in the side, producing their best performances since the France striker joined the club 2½ years ago.
Anelka’s goals have dried up since the end of January, but he was prolific in the first half of the season and with three matches remaining Drogba has already equalled his record haul of 33.
Deferring to Frank Lampard - Ancelotti started with Lampard at the top of the diamond, but soon changed tack after sensing the England midfield player was more comfortable making late runs from deep. “He has the quality to play at the tip, but for him it was better to start the action a little bit deeper,” Ancelotti said. Lampard has responded with his most prolific return of 25 goals, all the more remarkable given that he has been operating as a defensive midfield player for England.
Liberating Florent Malouda - The France winger has been Chelsea’s most improved performer and has attributed his renaissance to the confidence given to him by Ancelotti. Malouda’s pace, crossing ability and close control have given Chelsea an added dimension as he demonstrated in the win over Manchester United this month, restoring a devastating threat down the left not seen since the days of Arjen Robben and Damien Duff.
Game for a laugh - Notwithstanding these tactical switches and examples of shrewd man-management, Ancelotti’s most important contribution has been to alter the mood at the club, with the result that playing for and even watching Chelsea has become fun again. “We work hard on the training ground, but off [it] we are fairly light-hearted,” Lampard said. As a serial joker Ancelotti uses humour — often of the smutty variety — to keep his players relaxed and encourages them to express themselves on the field for the full 90 minutes.
Quick recoveries - Chelsea are as resilient as ever, as they have demonstrated by responding to setbacks in an impressive fashion. It is four years since they lost successive Premier League matches and Ancelotti has ensured that any blips remain just that. The 7-0 defeat of Stoke City eight days after defeat by Tottenham Hotspur is symptomatic of how they react in adversity, which bodes well for Sunday’s trip to Anfield, where Ancelotti will attempt to lay the ghost of Mourinho on the ground that caused him so much suffering. If he can, Chelsea’s new identity seems sure to be immortalised in silverware.
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