Written by Mr Teeks for TheShedEnder.com: After a long and testing season; there’s now a platform to give the fringe players a chance to stake a claim in the side prior to what is most likely going to be a summer clearout in the weeks to come.
On the back of the Chelsea end of season awards, it’s quite probable that Carlo Ancelotti will field a less than regular side in the clash with Everton (barring Fernando Torres who needs the game time and opportunity to get one on the score sheet, regardless of what he says about not being under pressure to score). We could see a Chelsea line-up that would have otherwise been unthinkable under normal circumstances. Everton themselves have little to play for, aside from consolidating their position and pocketing a couple of thousand quid more, and I suppose the knowledge that they weren’t too far from their ‘cross-the-pond’ rivals will give them some sense of achievement come the end of the season audits.
The audits are never beyond anybody in the league, and as any supporter worth their salt would tell you, they have the answer to solving their side’s problems next season.
They’re just waiting for that call when the manager decides that you are the one that sits in the dugout next to him until further notice. I am no different. And in my own parallel universe I find myself being called into Roman’s office as Consigliere, and asked the $1m question: Well Roman, here are FIVE things we need to do in the summer to stand a chance of winning all four:
KEEP CARLO:
His London track record speaks for itself: an EMPHATIC double in his first season; a commendable Champions’ League run; a credible pursuit of his EPL title amid some drama behind the scenes; an ability to mix it up formation-wise to good effect. He is also a good coach while we’re at it, has the respect of the players and fans, portrays the club in a positive light in the media, has Champions’ League winning experience, knows how to get the best out of his troops, does a better people’s eyebrow than The Rock, and most importantly he is already on the books! Roman Abramovich is obsessed with the Champions’ League and a wholesale management change will not be the answer.
There are talks of bringing in another Italian, a favourite son at The Bridge, and like his predecessor Wilkins, he does have a rapport with the players and with Carlo. Guus Hiddink in the role of technical director is also being bandied in the press, and with that trio at the top we could be in line to set things alight next season.