Premier League - Fergie: Chelsea still the danger
Eurosport - Fri, 06 Aug 14:43:00 2010
Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United will face the top challengers for the title when they take on Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield.
Manchester City have again spent huge sums in the transfer market, while Liverpool have been boosted by the arrival of new manager Roy Hodgson and the retention of striker Fernando Torres and midfield icon Steven Gerrard.
But Ferguson still believes that it will be Carlo Ancelotti's side who represent the main threat to his hopes of bringing the title to Old Trafford for a 12th time.
"With the experience Chelsea have got, you have to look at them being the biggest threat," Ferguson said.
"They won the league and the cup last year and I do think you have to see the team that won the league as the ones you look at.
"I don't see why anyone should think any different. Chelsea have the experience. You can't dismiss them."
Ferguson does however believe that the other sides in contention are becoming more of a threat and is adamant that the standard of football in the English game is still improving.
"It is a league with a lot of dangers," he said. "The competition is being raised all the time.
"Last year, the monopoly of the big four was squashed when Tottenham came into it and they will make progress this year.
"Manchester City have bought again, so you obviously have to put them into the equation and Everton, who had so many injury problems last year, will also come into it.
"There is no doubt in my mind it is going to be a more competitive league every year now."
The United boss confirmed that he will tread carefully when it comes to bringing his side's World Cup stars into action in the new season, with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic not expected to play major roles on Sunday.
"We always take the long view," said the Scot.
"There is no point pushing players too early, so I don't think we will get the benefit of these players until the third week of the season.
"The World Cup is probably the pinnacle of a lot of players' careers. The intensity and profile of it means it does take a lot out of them and we have to give them a proper rest.
"It does mean early in the season there is a little bit of risk in terms of knowing players are 100 per cent ready to be involved in these games."
Comment 5 - 24 of 24
Given that England had no semi-finalist in the Champions League last year for the first time since shortly after Noah's Ark, perhaps some of those complaining that Fergie is only stating the bl**din' obvious might care to explain what's so bl**din' obvious about his stated view in the following sentence from the above news item:
'Ferguson ... is adamant that the standard of football in the English game is still improving.'
Poor SAF. Just another case of where a journo asks him a pretty obvious question and the obvious answer is analysed to b*ggery by people with nothing better to do. Chelsea are champions so are the team to beat/overhaul. Interesting things are happening at Man City, Liverpool, Spurs etc - so we await events with interest. The poor so and so states the bl**din' obvious and gets castigated for it. No he's not messing with City's minds, no he's not trying to dismiss Liverpool, no he's not wielding some wierd Machiavellian influence: he's talking rather dull common sense. As a United fan I arther suspect that Chelsea will win on Sunday as we probably won't even get into gear until November - same as always. I also wish Liverpool a much better season than last: anybody who 'supports' football just for the joy of watching others suffer doesn't have a sporting bone in their body - and it is only a game. Enjoy the season everybody.
fergie talks of resting players , i would kick their @#$% , get out there and run your guts out , your all paid enough , and pampered like kings . many act like queens though . try 60 hours a week on nightshift for the goverment minimum wage . oh i think ive tweaked a hamstring .
The truth is that LIVERPOOL FC WILL BE the CHAMPION this season. All other teams ManU, Chelsea or whatever are and will always be second rate to LFC. They're and will always only be in supporting roles to LFC to make the premier less boring. LFC is the TEAM! fergie and all the other losers (non LFC fans) can eat their hearts out!
The truth is that LIVERPOOL FC WILL BE the CHAMPION this season. All other teams ManU, Chelsea or whatever are and will always be second rate to LFC. They're and will always only be in supporting roles to LFC to make the premier less boring. LFC is the TEAM! fergie and all the other losers (non LFC fans) can eat their hearts out!
The truth is that LIVERPOOL FC WILL BE the CHAMPION this season. All other teams ManU, Chelsea or whatever are and will always be second rate to LFC. They're and will always only be in supporting roles to LFC to make the premier less boring. LFC is the TEAM! fergie and all the other losers (non LFC fans) can eat their hearts out!
The truth is that LIVERPOOL FC WILL BE the CHAMPION this season. All other teams ManU, Chelsea or whatever are and will always be second rate to LFC. They're and will always only be in supporting roles to LFC to make the premier less boring. LFC is the TEAM! fergie and all the other losers (non LFC fans) can eat their hearts out!
Manu cannot rely on Rooney
As a chelsea fan I really wont be expecting us spring up suprises by winning the C.S cos we dont look prepared for the season,also past friendlies has show this. I still will be cheering for my club cos ma blood is BLUE!!!
I just love it! Talk, Talk and Talk! it's cheap. The bottom line is LIVERPOOL FC will be CHAMPION this season!
If we look at the teams objectively,it looks to me that manchester united will not be title contenders.Arsenal and Man City will be fighting for the title.I cant tell which team will win it though.Also, Liverpool will fight Everton for 5th while Spurs will be 7th.Aston Villa will end up 8th.Sunderland and West Ham - 9th and 10th respectively.Of course , it all depends on injuries , momentum, fixtures and referees but thats how it will end up imo.
Surely as Chelsea are the title holders from last season, they cannot be challengers. It is all the other teams, Manchester United included who are the challengers.
The truth is that LIVERPOOL FC WILL BE the CHAMPION this season. All other teams ManU, Chelsea or whatever are and will always be second rate to LFC. They're and will always only be in supporting roles to LFC to make the premier less boring. LFC is the TEAM! fergie and all the other losers (non LFC fans) can eat their hearts out!
Fergie needs two quality players a good midfielder and good scorer to take off the burden from Rooney.With four major competitions , you great and versatile players to withstand the season.
Fergie: Chelsea still the danger.
No sh it Sherlock!
Manchester United are NOT the title contenders this year.
Arsenal for the league = Cesc, Van Persie, Arshavin, Nasri, Chamakh, Vermaelen, Koschielny, Clichy, Theo, Song, Wilshire, Rosicky, Sagna, Eboue... etc.. will be prove too strong.
The skill, technique, and added power and aggression from the signings will be a treat to watch. Place your bets now before the odds shorten!
It will be a very interesting match on Sunday.
Aw shucks. Thanks Fergie. But we all know that all this talk is just another indirect swipe at Man City.
Thanks. It's the thought that counts. :-))
Aw shucks. Thanks Fergie. But we all know that all this talk is just another indirect swipe at Man City.
Thanks. It's the thought that counts. :-))
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account