Ancelotti calm over Chelsea future
Carlo Ancelotti accepts that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich may be running out of patience over the club’s slide down the Barclays Premier League.
The champions stretched their winless run in the competition to six matches with last night’s 3-1 defeat by title rivals Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
Ancelotti’s position as manager is the subject of intense speculation and it is unknown how much longer Abramovich will tolerate such a dramatic slump in form.
Chelsea led the Premier League by five points at one stage this season, now they trail leaders Manchester United by six points and come Wednesday evening they could occupy sixth place.
Ancelotti’s future is uncertain unless he can transform the team’s fortunes, but the Italian does not fear for his job.
“I don’t know (how long owner Roman Abramovich will remain patient). Obviously he won’t be happy at this moment,” he said.
“I will take my responsibility, but this is a question you have to ask him, not me. I’m not afraid about my job. Everyone said I did a fantastic job last year. Now people are asking me about my job.
“We have to do better, obviously. It’s not usual that Chelsea can’t win for six games.”
Ancelotti denies there is a rift in the changing room.
“These rumours are not true. Everyone knows this moment is difficult and we’re not able to do what we’re usually able to do,” he said.
“Everyone is close to their team-mates. We won the double six months ago. It’s impossible that everything has changed, the atmosphere from the players, in that time.”
Arsenal climbed to second after goals from Alex Song, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott ended their five-match losing streak against their title rivals.
Branislav Ivanovic pulled a goal back for Chelsea, but it was a poor display from the champions and Ancelotti admitted his team must “wake up”.
Arsenal, so often bullied in the fixture during recent seasons, played with determination and skill while their opponents lacked oomph or confidence.
“I’m worried, obviously, because that’s six games we’ve not been able to win,” said Ancelotti “I didn’t see the team playing the way we want and we had difficulty playing our football.”
“We’re obviously not so confident playing in this moment. I didn’t expect this defeat. I was surprised by this performance.
“I saw very good training sessions this week, so I was surprised by this performance. We are sleeping now. This is the reality of this team. We are sleeping. If you play against a good team like Arsenal, you lose if you don’t wake up.”
