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WATFORD - Chelsea could pose an even bigger threat next
season having made "a fantastic signing" by naming Carlo Ancelotti
as their new manager, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard
said.
Gerrard, speaking to reporters before England departed for
Saturday's Group Six World Cup qualifier in Kazakhstan, said he
thought the 49-year-old Italian was one of the best coaches in the
world and he was sure he would adapt to the challenges posed by the
Premier League.
"I think it's a good appointment for Chelsea, I'm not so sure
its a good one for Liverpool though, we will have to wait and see,"
Gerrard said half-jokingly.
"He is a fantastic manager, one of the best in the world.
"We played two Champions League finals against him when he was
at AC Milan, won one on a fantastic night in Istanbul, but the
second time around they beat us and he was spot on tactically in
the second game."
Asked how he compared with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who
guided them to second place this season, finishing ahead of
Chelsea, Gerrard replied: "They are both fantastic managers and it
will make the Premiership even more exciting.
"These managers love going head to head against each other, to
test each other, so I am sure Rafa and Ancelotti are looking
forward to testing themselves again."
Gerrard, who is expected to play against Kazakhstan and the
following Wednesday's home qualifier against Andorra, said it was
vital the group leaders won both games to take their total of wins
to seven from their opening seven qualifiers.
Six more points would mean England would need just three from
their last three qualifiers to make sure of their place in next
year's World Cup finals in South Africa.
JOB DONE
"We want the job done as soon as possible, with all due respect
to Kazakhstan and Andorra, these are games we should win so we need
to approach them with the right attitude.
"The majority of the time when England play these type of teams
we are expected to win very comfortably but these teams can be very
organised and difficult to beat and everyone wants to beat
England."
He also hoped Wayne Rooney would bounce back from Manchester
United's defeat to Barcelona in last week's Champions League
final.
England coach Fabio Capello appears to have found the right
position for him playing in a free role up front and Gerrard added:
"I think if you give a player like Wayne Rooney freedom he is going
to cause the opposition many problems, he is such a talent.
"Wayne has come off the back of a Champions League defeat I am
sure he is still hurting and will take it out on the next
opposition."
