Carlo Ancelotti was last night warned he must refurbish his Chelsea "house" if he hopes to challenge Manchester United for the big prizes next year.
Outgoing boss Guus Hiddink will be replaced by the Italian in the summer, unless there is a last minute change of heart by Ancelotti or AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi.
But as it emerged details still had to be thrashed out over the technical staff Ancelotti will bring with him, Hiddink suggested the squad he will inherit needs a major overhaul.
While the Blues were within an injury-time goal by Barcelona's Andres Iniesta of making a second successive Champions League Final, face Everton in the FA Cup Final and are set for a third-placed finish, Hiddink admitted the squad was not good enough.
Hiddink said: "First of all you don't want to go into next season on the basis of the beautiful circumstances we have experienced this season or the games against Barcelona, Liverpool and Juventus.
"When you want to compete, you have to renew your squad almost every year.
"To play in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup you need a squad of real depth in quality, not just 12 or 13 players. It's not enough." Hiddink has started just 17 players in his 20 games in charge and hinted at departures for the likes of Ricardo Carvalho, Didier Drogba and Deco as he added: "To compete to win all these competitions, like Manchester United do, you need to be able to use a lot of players.
Advertisement - article continues below »
"You must analyse the squad. Ageing players, around 30 and older, every now and then need to be released. They can still perform, but you might face all kinds of trouble if all the players get injured. It's difficult to come back, as a young man normally might.
"It's up to the management, of course, and what they do next year. I know people inside this 'house' are very aware of that."
Chelsea chiefs originally envisaged "three, four or five" new faces but Hiddink's criticism - and the fact owner Roman Abramovich will take his advice on board - suggests a bigger spending spree.
Ancelotti's appointment appears a certainty, although Chelsea will not confirm it until all the details are agreed.
He was told he is no longer required by Milan after Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Udinese that handed the Serie A crown to Inter, but there is the chance of a rethink by Berlusconi.
That is unlikely, yet Ancelotti and Chelsea are at odds with the make-up of the backroom staff. Ancelotti intimated he wants a hand-picked team but has been told Chelsea feel he should be content with one assistant of his choice and that goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon, Hiddink's No.2 Ray Wilkins and fitness coach Glen Driscoll should remain.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment