Blues not a worry for Fergie
23 Jul 2008 - 08:07:42
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Chelsea will struggle to make any major improvements, despite the arrival of Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Ferguson's side have won the Premier League title in both of the last two seasons and the veteran Scotsman sees no reason why the Red Devils can't complete a hat-trick.
He told The Daily Mail: "I'm not concerned about Chelsea.
"Avram Grant did a good job and Jose Mourinho won the title two years in a row and beat us in the FA Cup final. So there's no-one who can improve on Mourinho's record really.
"They are an experienced side and I'm not saying necessarily that they're old, because with the modern-day training methods you should be playing in your 30s.
"What I'm saying is that I don't see outstanding progress coming from a team that's in their 30s.
"They have lots of experience and big-game temperament and in a sense Scolari is fortunate, joining a big club with a team of internationals.
"But it's hard to see where there is going to be an improvement. Maybe they have reached a plateau, although perhaps that's not the right word.
"I wouldn't write off Liverpool or Arsenal either. It has been understated what Arsenal achieved last season.
"They suffered injuries at a bad time. Arsenal, in February, they lost most of their midfield.
"Who is to say that it would not have been closer if Arsene Wenger had kept his players fit?"