Glenn Hoddle signed Ruud Gullit in 1995.
Glenn Hoddle started the first Chelsea Revolution and
the former Blues boss is now confident that Carlo Ancelotti has the
strongest team in the Premier League.
As Chelsea face their first real big test of the season at
Manchester City, followed by a run of games that includes
title-chasing Arsenal, the ex-England manager has nothing but
admiration for the job Ancelotti is doing at the Bridge.
"Chelsea are playing with such freedom these days. You look at
them and you look at the depth of their squad and you think that
they right now are the strongest team there," he told the Daily
Express. "Ancelotti has got them playing. Technically he has a
squad of great players - I believe the strongest squad in the
league right now. And he has good players to come off the
bench.
"They are scoring goals for fun - but the goals are coming from
all areas of the team - not just Drogba or Anelka or Lampard, but
also from players like Malouda. They have quality wherever you
look. In my view whoever wins the league will have to finish above
Chelsea."
Hoddle began the reinvention of Chelsea by signing 1987 Ballon
d'Or winner Ruud Gullit and Mark Hughes, which changed the
perception of the club under chairman Ken Bates. And he now feels
if they can come through this period of tough fixtures they have
the strength to make this an historic season.
He added: "This is going to be a tough patch for them, with
games against Man City, Arsenal, Villa and Liverpool, but I think
they have the strength in depth to cope with it. And they have the
experience. It wasn't an easy run winning the title last year, they
had some moments, but they came through it.
"I don't have a worry for Chelsea in the league. I think they
will win it. Where I have a worry about them is in the Champions
League. Chelsea have gone so close now, and have been going for it
for so many years, that I worry if they want it too much. Maybe
that desire in them to win the Champions League is burning just a
bit too much.
"It comes from the top from Roman Abramovich I think, because
that is the trophy he really wants, but it is not just him. It is
in the players themselves. They want that trophy above any other -
and maybe that is a danger. Maybe that just makes you a little bit
too desperate, maybe it clouds your vision a bit.
"Also, a lot of these players are getting to the stage now where
maybe this is their last shot at it, and they know that.
"You are better off going into a competition knowing you are
better than anyone else and knowing you can win it, like they do
with the league, having confidence. But they have had a few
setbacks in Europe, a few bits of bad luck, never quite made it -
so there is not quite the same level of confidence, and maybe a bit
of desperation - and I'm not sure that is as healthy.
"It is odd that, in Carlo Ancelotti, who has won it twice and
knows all about the competition, they have a manager who should be
able to calm that down, steady them, and instil the confidence in
him. He is a calming influence, a steadying hand. But it still
worries me that it is in the players, inside them."