Ancelotti finally appointed!

In the world of football, rumours tend to have a way of becoming true. And so, the long standing rumour that Carlo Ancelotti will be appointed Chelsea's new manager was finally announced today.

Despite the fact the news comes as no big surprise, Ancelotti's appointment raises a lot of questions. For a man that has practically won everything with AC Milan, it is indeed a little a puzzling as to why Ancelotti would seek to risk his reputation and place in history as one of the best European managers of his generation by taking on a job that has seen three different managers over the last 18 months. Then again, I've been told you can never have enough money.

In fact, several reports in the UK as well as excerpts from Ancelotti's own autobiography indicate the Italian has been Roman Abromovich' radar ever since Avram Grant's sacking and Ancelotti himself has been "coaching" Chelsea on paper for some months now (is it a surprise Milan let him go?).

But is Ancelotti really the man Chelsea need? Don't forget that Felipe Scolari's appointment was also greated with the same amount of fan fare as Ancelotti's. And as the Brazilian found out, things in England, especially at Chelsea, can be difficult. And as it is, Ancelotti already shares one similar trait to the Brazilian: a poor command of English.

Nonetheless, Ancelotti, in his first interview with Chelsea TV (check it out here or on the youtube link on this blog) has promised to polish up his English by the time the new season gets underway in August.

But back to my earlier question as to whether Ancelotti's the right man for the Blues. One doesn't have to look much further than the two Champions League titles he won at AC Milan to see why Abramovich picked him.

Then there's the fact that every new manager at Chelsea has brought in footballers he's previously coached to the club. Mourinho and Scolari did it and Ancelotti will expected to do the same. So don't be surprised if Chelsea launch an audacious bid for Kaka some time soon. And in case Ancelotti needed some help with his summer shopping list, club captain John Terry wants his new boss to bring in both David Villa and Franc Ribery.

Last and not least, Ancelotti will be expected to bring Chelsea back as the champions of English football and implement Abramovich' much desired attacking football.

Its hard to see Ancelotti fulfilling all these demands. He certainly has the experience needed to lead Chelsea to its first Champions League but it's something that could take some time but Abramovich may want to see the results in the coming season itself.

As for player acquisitions, it might take a bit more to convince Kaka to make the move. The same goes for Ribery and Villa. However, Ancelotti is a respected manager, so he might excel in this department.But Italian will have his work cut out for him when it comes to challenging for the Premiership next season and altering Chelsea' style of play.

To implement attacking football, Ancelotti will need to undergo a serious house-cleaning exercise at Stamford Bridge this summer, which is something Scolari failed to do a year ago. The existing members of Chelsea's squad are not cut for free-flowing attacking football. And even if Ancelotti brings in a whole host of players, it will take time for them to gel and form a formidable force.

Thus, like all his predecessors, Ancelotti's fate at Chelsea will very depend on Abramovich's priorities. Will he allow Ancelotti the time needed to achieve all that is craved so dearly by the Russian billionaire and the Stamford Bridge faithful or will Ancelotti be handed the same deadlines the ones before him were given?