It is understood that Chelsea will now pursue a big-name signing for January as a mark of intent, and a tangible sign to Ancelotti that not only do the club want him to stay but also that Abramovich has finally acknowledged that he needs more support on and off the pitch.
The meeting came the day after Chelsea’s Champions League defeat by Marseille, but rather than speak to Ancelotti on the phone, Abramovich felt moved to talk face to face. The owner accepts that the Italian has been working under difficult circumstances and has also been contemplating his future at the club beyond the end of this season.
Telegraph Sport revealed three weeks ago Ancelotti’s unhappiness at Chelsea following the sacking of assistant manager Ray Wilkins and the imposition of Michael Emenalo, moves which enveloped the club in crisis. Ancelotti was dismayed by Abramovich’s intervention and was on the brink, considering whether to leave.
At that time Chelsea felt he was making too much of events, and despite the collapse in form there have been no discussions about whether to replace him. It is now understood that the manager genuinely has Abramovich’s full support.
Ancelotti is a known admirer of Benfica defender David Luiz, but he does not want Chelsea to pay the €40 million (£33 million) being demanded for the Brazilian. He also does not fit the bill of a marquee signing and it could be that Chelsea are considering an offer for the likes of Real Madrid’s ***a or Alex Pato, who both worked under Ancelotti at AC Milan, or another move for Sergio Aguero.
On Friday Ancelotti confirmed that he had spoken to Abramovich and had been given his “total support”.
“He understands very well the problems: the injuries, and that we played good football but didn’t win, which affected our confidence,” the manager said. “When I say I have total support, it means he’s very close to me at this moment. For this reason, our relationship is very good it’s very important to have the support of the club and the players when moments aren’t good. You have to have trust with each other. He’s been closer to us in this period compared to the other moments.”
Asked whether he could trust Abramovich, Ancelotti, who said he did not fear for his job, replied: “I think I have trust in him and he has trust in me.”
He added that funds would be available in the transfer window. “If we need to improve our squad in January, we’ll be able to do this,” Ancelotti explained. “We spoke about the situation of the team and the owner is available to do something in January.”
Chelsea face Tottenham on Sunday with Ancelotti confirming that he would not expose Frank Lampard, who is finally fit, to “a very tough game” without a practice match, which will now be arranged for next week.
With Manchester United and Arsenal to come, Ancelotti knows Chelsea are facing three games which will define their season. “Our destiny passes through these games,” he said. “It will show if we are able to fight for the title this year.”
Does he have a points total in mind? “Points? I don’t know. We can take three draws,” Ancelotti said. Would that satisfy him? “I wouldn’t be satisfied. I’ll try and take nine points. That’s our aim. Everyone thinks Chelsea aren’t good enough to fight for the title because our last month was not good. But I think we’ll be in competition also this year.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I have experience of moments like this. I know how I have to manage my team.”
That has included subtle changes to training. “It’s good to change something. But to break totally? No,” Ancelotti said. “We are changing some drills to avoid the same old routine in training, but to break totally everything isn’t the right way. We are doing more tactical sessions, but nothing bigger.
“We’ve not done anything else to lift morale. In Italy you stay concentrated in a hotel for four, five or six days continuously. That happened to me in Italy a few times. But I was really upset to do this when I was a player, to be without your families and friends. So I don’t want to do the same here. It didn’t work. Ever.”
Has he considered team-bonding? “Maybe walking on hot coals is an idea.”
Ancelotti is good when the chips are down, and will have been buoyed by Abramovich’s conciliatory approach. “When you move through moments, you either die or you improve your relationship, your character,” Ancelotti said.
“That’s what happened last year after the Inter defeat. We could have had a bad season, or we could improve our relationship, our personality.
“I think after that moment we were better as a team. I hope that, after this moment we will be better for the experience.
“The little details can change this. We have to search for these details. They won’t arrive from heaven. We have to search for them.”
Three players on Carlo’s radar
***A
The 28-year-old Brazilian with an Italian passport is out until next month after knee surgery, and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho says it will be like having a “new signing”. Manchester City are believed to have bid £100m in January.
PATO
The Brazilian, 21, was linked with a £45m move from AC Milan to Stamford Bridge last summer to be reunited with Carlo Ancelotti. Nicknamed the Duck (Pato in Portuguese), he averages a goal every other game for the Rossoneri.
SERGIO AGUERO
Atlético Madrid and Argentina star, 22, is known as the new Maradona, and is married to Diego’s daughter. It has been rumoured that Chelsea are to offer £20m at the end of the season. He was Fernando Torres’s apprentice at Atlético.
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