Luiz Felipe Scolari Laments Failure To Sign Robinho For Chelsea
stonejah said
10:53 02/13 2009
Former Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed in an interview with France Footballhow he rues missing out on the signing of Robinho as the Chelsea squad lacks flair players.
According to British newspaper The Guardian, the Brazilian tactician was also aware that he would face the chop at Stamford Bridge because of comments made prior to his departure.
"At Chelsea we don't have the player who can make the difference by himself by producing something magical on the pitch," Scolari is quoted as saying in the interview, which was given five days prior to his sacking.
"We miss that. In the past, [Arjen] Robben was at Chelsea and he could make the difference. But now there is no one.
"Robinho could have been this player. He is not afraid to dribble, to take a risk. As a Brazilian, I like this. My team isn't Brazilian enough. It is a 'bureaucratic' team. That's the style of my players. That's why Robinho would have done a lot of good for the team.
"With my squad it's very difficult to play with Drogba and Anelka up front. I don't have the players to play on the wings in that system [4-4-2]. [Salomon] Kalou can play on the wing in a 4-3-3 but not in a 4-4-2 because he doesn't defend well enough.
"With Anelka and Drogba at the front, who would play on the left? And in the middle? If we played 4-4-2 we would lose the battle in midfield. So, I have to choose between Anelka and Drogba.
"Drogba lacks a lot of confidence at the moment. After two or three big injuries, he is missing something. Drogba doesn't have enough confidence, so I choose Anelka."
When asked whether he feared losing his job, he replied, "Club officials are in charge of this. Last summer they decided to offer me the position of manager. That was their responsibility. If they decide to sack me this is also their decision. I just do my job."
According to British newspaper The Guardian, the Brazilian tactician was also aware that he would face the chop at Stamford Bridge because of comments made prior to his departure.
"At Chelsea we don't have the player who can make the difference by himself by producing something magical on the pitch," Scolari is quoted as saying in the interview, which was given five days prior to his sacking.
"We miss that. In the past, [Arjen] Robben was at Chelsea and he could make the difference. But now there is no one.
"Robinho could have been this player. He is not afraid to dribble, to take a risk. As a Brazilian, I like this. My team isn't Brazilian enough. It is a 'bureaucratic' team. That's the style of my players. That's why Robinho would have done a lot of good for the team.
"With my squad it's very difficult to play with Drogba and Anelka up front. I don't have the players to play on the wings in that system [4-4-2]. [Salomon] Kalou can play on the wing in a 4-3-3 but not in a 4-4-2 because he doesn't defend well enough.
"With Anelka and Drogba at the front, who would play on the left? And in the middle? If we played 4-4-2 we would lose the battle in midfield. So, I have to choose between Anelka and Drogba.
"Drogba lacks a lot of confidence at the moment. After two or three big injuries, he is missing something. Drogba doesn't have enough confidence, so I choose Anelka."
When asked whether he feared losing his job, he replied, "Club officials are in charge of this. Last summer they decided to offer me the position of manager. That was their responsibility. If they decide to sack me this is also their decision. I just do my job."