Chelsea no match for Manchester City, Real Madrid: Ancelotti

LONDON — Jose Mourinho’s new-look Chelsea squad is no match for the skill and strength in depth of Manchester City, according to former manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian, who succeeded Mourinho as coach of Real Madrid, says Chelsea’s physical style of play would not be tolerated by the Spanish club’s powerbrokers, who favour winning with style over a win-at-all-costs mentality.

Ancelotti won the Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea in 2010 before being sacked the following season having failed to win another trophy. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he admits to a continuing affection for Chelsea but hinted that the club is not yet ready to compete for major honours.

“There’s a lot of balance in the Premier League now, but in my opinion Manchester City have the best squad,” Ancelotti said. “I saw them play against Manchester United, and in terms of a squad they are very skilled.

“Arsenal are doing well, but we helped them of course. Arsene Wenger has to buy us dinner, as we gave them (Mesut) Ozil! It was my decision. When we bought Gareth Bale it was difficult to find space for him, and he needs to play.

“Mourinho will always do well, but they’ve changed a lot of players so it’s not easy.”

After winning the Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain last season Ancelotti joined Real Madrid, who are currently third in the Primera Liga table, six points behind leaders Barcelona and three behind Atletico Madrid. Chelsea are third in the Premier League, four points adrift of Arsenal.

Mourinho rejoined Chelsea in the summer after a turbulent spell in charge at the Bernabeu. Despite winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, the three-year-spell will be defined by a series of disputes with key members of the Madrid squad and the failure to land the club’s tenth European Cup.

“They didn’t speak about what happened last year with Mourinho, and I didn’t ask,” Ancelotti says. “To reach the semi-finals of the Champions League is not bad. It’s not good enough for some clubs, but it’s not bad.

“But the supporters here don’t just look to win, they look at how you play. At Real you have to win with style. It’s not enough to win here. For example, Fabio Capello was sacked after he won the league. Chelsea were a more physical team, but here the technical skills of the players are the best.

“La Decima (The Champions League) is not an obsession, but it’s a motivation. For the club it’s very important. The last time Real Madrid played in the final was 2002. For a club like Real Madrid this is not good.” AGENCIES