Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, believes Chelsea could still have a say in the Premier League title race despite the club’s problems and change of management.
Rafael Benitez has taken charge at Stamford Bridge, starting his reign with successive goalless draws, including one against Mancini’s defending champions.
The appointment of the Spaniard has also been met by disapproval from large sections of Chelsea supporters and the mid-week fixtures saw their club fall seven points behind current league leaders Manchester United.
However, Mancini, whose side go into the weekend fixtures with a six-point cushion over third-place Chelsea, is not yet ready to count them out of the title race.
‘I don’t think it is a two-horse race,’ said Mancini.
‘Because also we are near the top, but it is difficult to say this because the season is long and in February, when we start the Champions League, everything can change. I think Chelsea could win the league.
‘At this moment, I think there are three teams. But I repeat we have another 25, 26 games. It is too long to say.
‘Last year, in six games we recover eight points. Teams like Tottenham and Arsenal can recover these points in the next 25 games, but it is difficult to say this now.’
Mancini has been impressed by his club’s recent defensive form, following a run that has seen them concede just one goal in their last six league games.
The sequence has coincided with young Serbian defender Matija Nastasic performing so well at centre-back that he has kept England’s Joleon Lescott out of the line-up.
‘When people said you concede a lot of goals, we concede a lot in the Champions League, maybe,’ said Mancini.
‘In the Premier League, after six or seven games we conceded maybe two goals more than last year, not 10.
‘But it’s clear, at this moment, we are working better but this is because all the team is working in the defensive phase.’
VIDIC POISED FOR UNITED RETURN
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson revealed on Friday that Portuguese winger Nani will be out until next year, as the Premier League leaders’ injury problems continue.
But Ferguson has received better news about central defender Nemanja Vidic, who could make a first-team return on Wednesday when United conclude their successful Champions League group campaign at home to Romania’s CFR Cluj.
‘The last year and a half, he has probably only played 10 or 12 games, something like that,’ said Ferguson.
‘I think the best way is for us to let him decide himself when he is ready, he’s got the experience and knows what’s best for him and when is the right time for him to come back into the team.
It would be nice to play him on Wednesday in the European game and I wouldn’t be afraid to play him on Wednesday,’ added Ferguson.
Nani, whose hamstring injury will keep him out for the rest of the calendar year.
‘Nani is out, maybe for a long spell four or five weeks,’ said Ferguson. ‘Hamstrings are hamstrings and he just needs time.’
Rafael Benitez has taken charge at Stamford Bridge, starting his reign with successive goalless draws, including one against Mancini’s defending champions.
The appointment of the Spaniard has also been met by disapproval from large sections of Chelsea supporters and the mid-week fixtures saw their club fall seven points behind current league leaders Manchester United.
However, Mancini, whose side go into the weekend fixtures with a six-point cushion over third-place Chelsea, is not yet ready to count them out of the title race.
‘I don’t think it is a two-horse race,’ said Mancini.
‘Because also we are near the top, but it is difficult to say this because the season is long and in February, when we start the Champions League, everything can change. I think Chelsea could win the league.
‘At this moment, I think there are three teams. But I repeat we have another 25, 26 games. It is too long to say.
‘Last year, in six games we recover eight points. Teams like Tottenham and Arsenal can recover these points in the next 25 games, but it is difficult to say this now.’
Mancini has been impressed by his club’s recent defensive form, following a run that has seen them concede just one goal in their last six league games.
The sequence has coincided with young Serbian defender Matija Nastasic performing so well at centre-back that he has kept England’s Joleon Lescott out of the line-up.
‘When people said you concede a lot of goals, we concede a lot in the Champions League, maybe,’ said Mancini.
‘In the Premier League, after six or seven games we conceded maybe two goals more than last year, not 10.
‘But it’s clear, at this moment, we are working better but this is because all the team is working in the defensive phase.’
VIDIC POISED FOR UNITED RETURN
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson revealed on Friday that Portuguese winger Nani will be out until next year, as the Premier League leaders’ injury problems continue.
But Ferguson has received better news about central defender Nemanja Vidic, who could make a first-team return on Wednesday when United conclude their successful Champions League group campaign at home to Romania’s CFR Cluj.
‘The last year and a half, he has probably only played 10 or 12 games, something like that,’ said Ferguson.
‘I think the best way is for us to let him decide himself when he is ready, he’s got the experience and knows what’s best for him and when is the right time for him to come back into the team.
It would be nice to play him on Wednesday in the European game and I wouldn’t be afraid to play him on Wednesday,’ added Ferguson.
Nani, whose hamstring injury will keep him out for the rest of the calendar year.
‘Nani is out, maybe for a long spell four or five weeks,’ said Ferguson. ‘Hamstrings are hamstrings and he just needs time.’