Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has told his players that he will continue to ignore off-the-field matters provided his stars maintain their performances from last season and carry on winning matches and ultimately trophies.
Despite a number of high-profile stories involving captain John Terry and Ashley Cole, the Blues went on to claim the first Double in the club's history, and Ancelotti has insisted that for him, that is all that counts.
"We are not interested in what happens outside of our training ground," Ancelotti told The Daily Mail.
"Last year, some players had private problems but if they keep this outside the pitch, for us this is good.
"We want to keep this training ground clear. We don't have a problem at this training ground."
It was rumoured last season that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sent chief executive Ron Gourlay to speak with the squad after what he believed were stories dragging the image of the football club through the mud.
But Ancelotti said: "There are not rules outside this training ground because everyone has his rules on his private life.
"We can't put on our players how they have to behave outside the training ground. Private life is private life."
England left-back Ashley Cole has reportedly been a transfer target of Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, and was said to be welcoming the possibility of a move because of the reaction he receives from fans at away games and while on England duty.
However, Ancelotti dismissed reports linking him with a move away from the club, and believes the former Arsenal man has the character and mentality to overcome the boo boys this season.
"They can boo. Ashley [Cole] does not have a problem with someone doing this. Mentally, John Terry and Ash are top players. They have fantastic characters. If you don't have a fantastic character, you're not a top player. Terry showed fantastic behaviour on the pitch last year. He has never been nervous or without motivation.
"He has always been focused. He has fantastic preparation. I don't think that we'll have a problem this season. He has very good control of his emotions."
Despite a number of high-profile stories involving captain John Terry and Ashley Cole, the Blues went on to claim the first Double in the club's history, and Ancelotti has insisted that for him, that is all that counts.
"We are not interested in what happens outside of our training ground," Ancelotti told The Daily Mail.
"Last year, some players had private problems but if they keep this outside the pitch, for us this is good.
"We want to keep this training ground clear. We don't have a problem at this training ground."
It was rumoured last season that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sent chief executive Ron Gourlay to speak with the squad after what he believed were stories dragging the image of the football club through the mud.
But Ancelotti said: "There are not rules outside this training ground because everyone has his rules on his private life.
"We can't put on our players how they have to behave outside the training ground. Private life is private life."
England left-back Ashley Cole has reportedly been a transfer target of Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, and was said to be welcoming the possibility of a move because of the reaction he receives from fans at away games and while on England duty.
However, Ancelotti dismissed reports linking him with a move away from the club, and believes the former Arsenal man has the character and mentality to overcome the boo boys this season.
"They can boo. Ashley [Cole] does not have a problem with someone doing this. Mentally, John Terry and Ash are top players. They have fantastic characters. If you don't have a fantastic character, you're not a top player. Terry showed fantastic behaviour on the pitch last year. He has never been nervous or without motivation.
"He has always been focused. He has fantastic preparation. I don't think that we'll have a problem this season. He has very good control of his emotions."
No comments:
Post a Comment