FAREWELL RICCY, HELLO ROBBIE
Posted on: Sat 14 Aug 2010
As one legend departs, another returns to Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti has had his say...
We begin the season without a number of familiar faces, among them Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and most recently departed, Ricardo Carvalho.
The 32-year-old defender joined Real Madrid this week after six years at Stamford Bridge, and while many have been sad to see the Portuguese go, Carlo Ancelotti explained it was the player's desire to leave.
'Everyone was disappointed about this because Carvalho worked six years here very well in this club,' said the manager. 'Last year he did a fantastic job. His desire was to leave this club, to try new emotions, new experiences, and we have in our club a fantastic centre-back, and we want to give them more possibility to play - [Jeffrey] Bruma.'
'It was a decision he took at the end of last year, the last game of last year he said to me he would like to leave this club and for this reason he went to Real Madrid. We have Ivanovic, Alex, Terry and Bruma, it is fine.'
The 18-year-old Dutchman made his international debut this week in a friendly against Ukraine, and will have high hopes for the season ahead. He is unlikely to be involved from the start against West Brom this afternoon though, with Alex now fully recovered from his thigh injury sustained early in pre-season.
The Baggies will be unfamiliar opposition to Ancelotti, promoted as they were in May after a season in the Championship.
Ancelotti will recognise their manager Roberto Di Matteo though, our former Italian international midfielder who scored twice in FA Cup Final victories.
He is a figure Ancelotti admires, and one he remembers from his own playing days.
'He was a very good midfielder, a very good opponent, and I think I played against him two or three times at the end of my career,' recalled the Chelsea coach. 'Last year he did a fantastic job, I followed him closely.
'I don't know if he is Italian or English, maybe he is in the middle! He did a good job, they showed fantastic play, they like to play football and have a good identity on the pitch. We can see Di Matteo [in their style].'
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2121715,00.html
