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Scolari targets unprecedented quadruple trophy haul
| Written by: AFP |
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| 2008-07-28 05:02:24 |  |
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he is targeting an unprecedented four trophies in his first season and is close to finalising the starting 11 who he hopes will achieve the feat.
The newly-installed Brazilian has seen his team score 11 goals in his first two games in charge, and he gave a bullish message here on what he wants from his players. "They arrived last year in three finals, that's very good for me," he said. "We have four competitions and I will try to win four competitions and the players are the same," he added, referring to the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the League Cup. "It will be very difficult but we have the team and the players for this. Chelsea have given me everything I want." Since taking over at the beginning of the month, Scolari has identified the core of the side that he hopes will save him from the sort of unceremonious dumping that befell former coach Avram Grant. "I now have some idea but I need to be with them for more training, to finish this tour and then I will have my ideas for the team to play Portsmouth (on August 17)," he said. "I have a minimum of 75 percent of the team in my mind." Chelsea romped past Chengdu Blades 7-0 on Saturday after thrashing Guangzhou Pharmaceutical last week. They play a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday and then head to Moscow for the Railways Cup. Scolari admits the opposition has yet to give then a stern test but knows playing in Russia will a different ball game, which he is relishing. "Eleven goals in two games is a stepping stone and I think the match on Tuesday will be more difficult than the last and then the Russian team knows everything about us," he said. "It is then that I will know whether this team is ready. But my team is growing up and they are more free in the field now." Without naming names, he added that after less than a month in charge he had identified a small group of players who stand out above the rest and who will form the backbone of his side. "I have had 15 or 20 days with the players and I know now who is the most important for us," he said. |
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Discuss- Add comment
DaJohnner July 28th, 2008 06:27
You must learn to walk before you run Big Phil...take it easy.phughes699 July 28th, 2008 08:13
Scolari, in your dreams mate!Tontodonati July 28th, 2008 11:35
It's refreshing to know that our opinion has no bearing on the final standings. But it's conforting to think that it does. God know we need confort!Giorgio July 28th, 2008 14:53
Fred,The correct spelling is comfort.
Crusader1987 July 28th, 2008 15:16
Winning the FA Cup and Carling Cup are too much like crap shoots. Chelsea may win one of those, but not both.ajax72 July 28th, 2008 16:20
When you aren't held responsible for what you speak it's easy to promise the stars from the sky.Tontodonati July 28th, 2008 18:34
Giorgio, sorry! I should be more careful with the spelling! I also wrorte God know instead of God knows. Better next time.RGPII1 July 28th, 2008 22:10
Good points Crusader, they play their second and youth squards in those games often anyway....at least the big 4 do.indsc4 July 29th, 2008 18:50
I think each of the big 4's managers are targeting a quadruple every year. They just don't chase some trophies, like the FA or Carling Cup, as intensely.ajax72 July 29th, 2008 21:54
Guys did you know that in 1972 Stefan Kovacs won with Ajax all 5 trophies they cometed for: the IntercontinentalCup, Champions Cup, UEFA Super Cup, League title and National Cup? I strongly doubt this achievement will be ever equalled.ajax72 July 29th, 2008 21:55
Sorry -competed, not cometed.indsc4 July 30th, 2008 20:15
With today's competition and the toll these competitions take on clubs, I don't think Ajax's feat will be equalled, nor surpassed...Take Rangers for example...they were chasing a quadruple and looked to be keen on winning at least the SPL, the Scottish FA Cup, and the Scottish League Cup, with a good chance of winning the UEFA Cup. They won the League Cup when there wasn't a fixture jam, and ended up losing the UEFA Cup and the SPL due to fatigued players. They then barely beat Queen of the South (a second division side) in the Scottish FA Cup final.
Unless United win the EPL, the Champions League, The FA Cup, the Carling Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup (the last two only available to the previous year's CL winners (UEFA cup winners can only win five, if available)), then the "quintuple" of 1972 by Ajax is untouchable.
ajax72 July 31st, 2008 00:20
To be 100% correct the 1972 UEFA Super Cup was an unofficial edition. Well in the next, 1973 official, edition Ajax won it again after a 6-1 /six-one/ aggregate over Milan- 0-1 in Milan and 6-0 in Amsterdam. Nowaday I can't imagine, even in my wildest dreams, Milan beaten 6-0 even by the United European Team.ajax72 July 31st, 2008 00:21
To be 100% correct the 1972 UEFA Super Cup was an unofficial edition. Well in the next, 1973 official, edition Ajax won it again after a 6-1 /six-one/ aggregate over Milan- 0-1 in Milan and 6-0 in Amsterdam. Nowaday I can't imagine, even in my wildest dreams, Milan beaten 6-0 even by the United European Team.Those were the days.
RGPII1 July 31st, 2008 07:14
Abramovich is too much of a hard @$ on his coaches and Grant should have done better. Phil should have done better with Portugal though.