|
|
Carlo Ancelotti: Senior Chelsea Players Are At Their Peak
Blues in prime of their lives, claims boss.
08-Nov-2009 3:46:44 PM
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed suggestions that his squad is too old and has instead claimed his senior players are at their peak.
The Blues possess several players over 30 years of age, including Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, yet the Italian feels that in the modern game, age is no longer as important.
“John Terry is a young player and so is Lampard,” the Chelsea boss was quoted by the Press Association as saying.
“When one player is 30 years old, he is [at] the centre of his career.
“Ten years ago he was an old player but now with the physical training, the age of 30 is the best moment of a player's career.”
Ancelotti welcomes Manchester United to Stamford Bridge this afternoon, hoping for the win that will take his side five points clear of the champions.
The Red Devils have failed to win at the home of the Blues since 2002 but the Italian warned his players of the threat that Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, in particular, would offer.
"Berbatov is a good striker. He has a very good partnership with Wayne Rooney,” explained the Chelsea boss.
“Together they are playing with good combination. We have to pay attention to this.
“They are a very good pair, as are Drogba and Anelka.”
Gill Clark, Goal.com UK
The Blues possess several players over 30 years of age, including Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Deco and Ricardo Carvalho, yet the Italian feels that in the modern game, age is no longer as important.
“John Terry is a young player and so is Lampard,” the Chelsea boss was quoted by the Press Association as saying.
“When one player is 30 years old, he is [at] the centre of his career.
“Ten years ago he was an old player but now with the physical training, the age of 30 is the best moment of a player's career.”
Ancelotti welcomes Manchester United to Stamford Bridge this afternoon, hoping for the win that will take his side five points clear of the champions.
The Red Devils have failed to win at the home of the Blues since 2002 but the Italian warned his players of the threat that Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney, in particular, would offer.
"Berbatov is a good striker. He has a very good partnership with Wayne Rooney,” explained the Chelsea boss.
“Together they are playing with good combination. We have to pay attention to this.
“They are a very good pair, as are Drogba and Anelka.”
Gill Clark, Goal.com UK
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Iniesta still making the difference for Spain
The ethereal midfielder remains Vicente del Bosque's most consistent performer as La Roja set out to retain their European crown in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has the fewest combined caps among them?
Which is the least experienced team in Euro 2012? Time to test your knowledge, mate
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour