Kalou shakes off shackles

Kalou: Free to express himself

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Salomon Kalou believes that Chelsea will be more adventurous this season under Luiz Felipe Scolari.

The Blues have been criticised in the past for implementing a defensive mindset which is geared towards avoiding defeat, rather than striving for victory.

Those tactics may have played a part in ending the tenures of Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant at Stamford Bridge, with club owner Roman Abramovich making no secret of his desire to combine success with entertainment.

The appointment of Scolari this summer would appear to be a step in the right direction, as the coach's Brazilian heritage should ensure that he favours a style of play which is pleasing on the eye.

Exciting

Ivory Coast international Kalou certainly feels that the new boss will help to install Latin flair into the side, and believes that will be advantageous to the club's forwards.

"The manager wants to play an attacking game which is exciting. It's good for players who want to play more," he told the Daily Mirror.

"Last year it was more about teamwork, being defensive, not conceding goals and trying to score one, but now it will be different.

"We have different players and a different system. Players like Deco, Ballack and Lampard can really put good balls through to the strikers so it's going to be a good season."

Comfortable

Scolari has switched from the 4-3-3 system favoured by his predecessors to a quintessentially English 4-4-2 formation, and Kalou insists that will help the club's forward-thinking stars express themselves.

"It's the first time since I've been at Chelsea we played with four midfielders and two strikers," he said.

"Normally we play with two defensive midfielders and two wingers. The difference this season is every player is trying to attack and all our players are comfortable with this system.

"With the style of players we have we can play attacking football and be the best - I'm looking forward to playing attacking football."

And Kalou is confident that the Blues can make up for the disappointment of missing out on Premier League, Carling Cup and UEFA Champions League glory last season by going one better in 2009.

"We were too cautious last season. There were some games when we were waiting and didn't take out chances," he added.

"This year we can make it better. We have a lot of competitions to play for with a strong team so I'm looking forward to starting the season and trying to win every competition."