The Chelsea Daily Drivel - Ancelotti, Zhirkov and Laudrup!

The Chelsea Daily Drivel is a daily update of all the stories concerning our club, the rumours, the opinions and more....

So here are the Chelsea news updates on Wednesday 8th September 2010 including: Carlo Ancelotti wants to manage Chelsea for 25 years, Yuri Zhirkov issues the club with an ultimatum and Brian Laudrup reveals he is battling Cancer.

First this morning to more on Carlo Ancelotti's interview at his book release (You can buy at the bottom of this page at my Store Carousel) and he spoke of his intentions at Chelsea after being asked if he would ever consider moving into international management. He said:

"My desire is to be here for 25 years. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I hope to stay for a long time. I would like to manage a national team, It could be England, it could be Italy. But, of course, I would like to be coach of the Italian team because I am Italian.

Carlo was also asked for his target's for Chelsea this season. He said:

"When I came to Chelsea our aim was to be involved in all the competitions. The Champions League is not more important than the Premier League – they are at the same level and we maintain that. They are two very important competitions but it’s natural after wining the Premier League last season to think more about the Champions League.

The final this season is in London at Wembley and that's a good motivation. All the London teams will want to win the Champions League for this reason."

(Source: talkSport)
The thing is with manager's you never know in football. Let's face it who would have thought that Jose would have been sacked just over a year after winning back to back titles!. I remember Jose saying that he would "sign a 10 year contract" back at the time so I think for Carlo to say he wants to manage the club for 25 years is a bit far fetched to say the least.

However, if he can continue our success at the club then of course we all would want him to stay for the length of time Sir Alex has done at Old Trafford.

I think Jimmy Greaves said it one day and its still true to this day. He said of football "its a funny old game" and you just never know.

Let's just hope that although looking at Ancelotti's quote above that it seems the Champions League is now the focus this season, that we remain focused on holding on to our title aswell!.

Now to Yuri Zhirkov and it comes as no surprise that reports have come out of the club of an ultimatum given to Chelsea by the player. As reported on here in the Daily Drivel on 3rd September, New boss Dick Advocaat stated that Zhirkov needed to be playing first team football to be considered for the Russian national team.

Reports have emerged this week that Zhirkov has recognised his problem with not playing and has "issued" the club with an ultimatum to play him or he will be forced to leave the club as early as January.

Zhirkov is reported as saying:

"I’ll certainly get a chance in the next few months and I’ll try to use it completely. Then, in the winter, everything will probably depend on whether I got this chance and how I used it.

We are currently in brilliant form and getting past Malouda and Cole is problematic. Everyone understands about the competition: once you are on the bench you can be there for a long time. But I will definitely get a chance.

The thoughts when you are watching your team play are always the same: you support, worry and your soul wants to be on the pitch to help."

(Source: Daily Mail)
I have to say that I do believe that he will get his chance this season but can only see that chance being in cup games. It's important to hear that he recognises just how well Cole and Malouda are playing and I am sure Carlo feels that at the moment Zhirkov will not take either of their places in the side.

Zhirkov is faced with a similar situation to Joe Cole and the real reason why he had to leave Chelsea and thats Malouda. Malouda has started this season better than he ever has for Chelsea and we hope he gets better and better.

If that's the case, expect Chelsea to be doing business in the transfer market in January with Zhirkov out the door and hopefully a chance for Van Aanholt to be ready whenever called upon!.

Finally to sad news for a Chelsea old-boy and that's Brian Laudrup. Laudrup announced that he has been diagnosed with Cancer and will begin treatment. He has a mild form of lymphoma and will begin the fight against it asap. He said:

"I am obviously shocked by the diagnosis, but also know that there is now a tough battle ahead of me - a battle I will win. Fortunately, I have had very optimistic reports from doctors to support me.

I now want to use my energy to get over the shock and take time with my family and those closest to me, so together we can move forward after this diagnosis."

I remember when he signed for Chelsea back in the day I couldn't wait to see him play. Maybe he never really got the games he deserved to play at the time but when he did play he brought the same class on ball as seeing Glen Hoddle with the ball at his feet (in those days).

One memory that springs to mind was Blackburn away and the famous 4-3 where he came on and set up one of Tore Andre Flo's goals as we nicked the points and saw Roy Hodgson go barmby on the side of the pitch as Vialli jumped out of the dug out and demonstrated to Hodgson the aeroplane celebration! Brilliant!.

We all wish Laudrup well, all the best and to make a full recovery.
KTBFFH..