Ancelotti returns to his Italian roots

CAUTIOUS is one word that can be used to describe last Saturday’s performance against Villa. Dull is another.

Obviously the memory of the loss at Villa Park last season, prompted Ancelotti to remind us that he is Italian and as such, catenaccio is a system that we will see in his repertoire from time to time. Considering our last few showings at Villa Park and the injuries we have, I should be happy with a point, but once again we failed to take advantage of United’s wastefulness. What made it worse were the Arsenal and City results which cut our lead.

City remind me of our first season under Mourinho — doing what it takes to win — even when they perhaps don’t deserve it. They have a good squad with a few exceptional players and are keeping up the pressure, sitting on our shoulder waiting for a slip up.

Christmas has often been the undoing of Chelsea and we have a smaller squad. As it is we are already facing difficulties and we haven’t really got into the heavy, perilous pitches just yet. The youngsters who have been blooded so far are doing well, showing their naivety but that will only improve with first team match time.

I’m hoping the Kakuta to Bayern Munich rumours have no substance, considering the hell and high water Chelsea went through to get him. The downright libellous press that we endured was never really fully withdrawn despite Chelsea being proved to have done nothing wrong. It probably cost a fair few thousand to dispute those allegations too.

The 19-year-old certainly has talent, but is still finding his feet in the first team, which is totally understandable and most of us are prepared to wait for him to find his comfort zone. One of the tests of a manager is to manage that transition — maintaining what is best for the team, as well as ensuring the youngster concerned understands the process of integration.

It is evident that Chelsea will not be buying players wholesale again. They will still get the big money out should the team require it — but the justification will have to be robust. Talented youngsters are in a prime position to be given their chance and to establish themselves in the first team.

One thing is for certain, we will need the youngsters while we are suffering so many injuries and perhaps beyond, should they prove more worthy than the player they are standing in for.

A testing period coming up for us now with matches against Wolves and Blackburn as well as Champions League games which hold their own pressures including last night’s long trek to Moscow. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky we’re not facing that other dirty team, Arsenal, in the next few weeks as more injuries would ensue I’m sure!

The more physical teams are just another hurdle to be negotiated by those seeking the ultimate prize in what is now considered the best league in the world.

You can sit in the “also-ran” seats and whine about it or you could pull your sleeves up and get in the mix. No team with an ounce of competitiveness is going to sit back and admire the beauty of the game while being thrashed. I think even Arsène Wenger is finally realising that now.

So message to Mick McCarthy and Sam Allardyce — come and have a go if you think you’re hard enough.

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