Carlo Ancelotti finds his mean streak to show Chelsea won’t settle for second best

Simon Johnson
29 Oct 2009

Chelsea 4-0 Bolton

Since Carlo Ancelotti has been in charge of Chelsea he has shown many of the qualities that are on his sparkling CV. These include a mastery of the English language, great character under pressure and the vital ability to get his side to win the vast majority of their matches.

At Stamford Bridge last night he showed two other qualities that could ensure his time in south-west London will be a success . . . he has a mean streak and he won't settle for second best.

Daniel Sturridge cut a disconsolate figure when he was substituted just past the hour mark on what was his long-awaited first start in a Chelsea shirt. The former Manchester City striker had just missed two glorious chances to open his account but Ancelotti made sure he wasn't going to waste a third.

Some managers would have hesitated to take a 20-year-old off in such circumstances, knowing it could perhaps do more harm than good to a player still trying to make the breakthrough. Chelsea were leading Bolton 2-0 at the time and it seemed inevitable that with half an hour to go, Sturridge would get another opportunity and that he would surely take it. Instead, the Italian surprisingly sent on Didier Drogba in his place and gave the youngster a polite handshake before allowing him to take his place on the bench.

One would have expected Drogba to have been saved the necessity of taking the field in the circumstances, especially with the game well and truly won and the fact there is a more important Premier League fixture against the same opponents on Saturday.

The Ivory Coast international certainly seemed to be going through the motions and appeared intent just to avoid an injury. Incredibly, his one meaningful contribution still ended up with him netting for the ninth time this season after he headed in Joe Cole's cross in the last minute.

It must have rubbed salt into Sturridge's wounds to see his replacement get the goal he so craved with such little effort. He would have surely spent the final half-hour at full pelt unlike Drogba, but by taking him off Ancelotti taught him an importtant lesson.

Chelsea are used to playing crucial matches where the stakes are a lot higher than they were last night and they can't afford to miss the kind of chances Sturridge had.

Twice he was put through clear on goal and on both occasions he snatched at the opportunity and sent the ball wide. The England Under-21 international feels he can become one of the best strikers in the world. To do so he will have to improve immeasurably on the finishing prowess he displayed against Bolton. Ancelotti's decision to replace him will have made him realise that so much more than if he'd allowed him to stay on and perhaps score a goal that would paper over the cracks.

Crucially, though, the former AC Milan coach still spoke out in defence of Sturridge after the final whistle.

He said: “I'm disappointed for him. I think he played 60 minutes well for the team. I asked him to play for the team, not just to score and he did what I asked of him. For me, it's not important that he didn't score. The others — Salomon Malouda, Florent Kalou — did.

“For him it would have been better to score but I'm happy with his work out on the pitch.”
It was no surprise that he was in a forgiving mood after Chelsea had booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with this easy win.

He had made seven changes from the team that thrashed Blackburn 5-0 and yet they were able to sweep Bolton aside, without playing at full pelt.

There was also the rare occurrence of neither John Terry, who was in the stands, and Frank Lampard, who was an unused substitute, getting any playing time. The visitors were woeful and will surely put up stiffer resistance at the Reebok Stadium at the weekend. It was over as a contest after 26 minutes with Kalou and Malouda both benefiting from poor defending to beat keeper Ali Al Habsi.

The fans were kept entertained at the sight of both Deco and Joe Cole in midfield, who combined thrillingly in the 67th minute for the former to send a fine shot into the bottom corner.

They were also reassured for Brazil defender Alex was making his first start since recovering from a groin injury and his presence ensured Bolton's threat from set-pieces was minimal.

He will have done his chances of staying in the team for Saturday no harm at all. Gary Megson will recall striker Kevin Davies to the starting line-up after resting him and has warned Chelsea to expect a much tougher encounter in two days' time.

The Bolton boss said: “I'm pleased to be playing them again. We need to put on a performance and that was a bit of a stroll. Our team will be different, not just in personnel but in approach.”