Luiz Felipe Scolari insists Chelsea's top guns are just as good as Man United's wizard Cristiano Ronaldo
Luiz Felipe Scolari insists Chelsea's top guns are just as good as Man United's wizard Cristiano Ronaldo
Luiz Felipe Scolari will need to stop Ronaldo from taking his side apart at Old Trafford in the derby Premier League game on Sunday but the Brazilian coach is adamant that Chelsea have players who can match the skills of the United superstar.
Scolari managed Ronaldo when he was in charge of the Portugal national team.
Ronaldo, who is set to collect the 'World Player of the Year' award next week, is expected to play against the Blues despite writing off his Ferrari sports car in an accident on Thursday.
But while Scolari accepts that Ronaldo will be United's main threat, he believes Chelsea possess players of a similar match-winning calibre.
"Ronaldo is a player that can change the game," said Scolari. "When you expect him to dribble left he dribbles right, when you expect him to shoot left he shoots right.
"He jumps very well and is a very intelligent player. He can change the game. For me last season he was the best in the world, for sure. This season maybe some other players are in a better condition.
"I have players who do not have Ronaldo's characteristics, but I have players who have fantasy. They cross very well, pass very well and dribble, but Ronaldo is a different player with a different style.
"We do not have players here with the same style, but we have some players as good as Ronaldo. Maybe this season a Chelsea player will be in the top five players in the world."
He added: "United have a good balance. They choose their players very well and have a good balance. I prepare the same for every game, whether it's the World Cup final or with Chelsea. I prepare my team the same the every game Southend, Burnley, Manchester United and Arsenal. For me it's the same it's three points.
It's no different."
Having managed just 10 points from the club's past seven league games, Scolari knows the Blues must get something from their trip to Old Trafford.
Head-to-head last five meetings:
>>21/09/08 Premier League:
CHELSEA 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 1
>>21/05/08 Champions League final, Moscow:
CHELSEA 1, MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (United win 6-5 on penalties)
>>26/04/08 Premier League: CHELSEA 2, MANCHESTER UNITED 1
>>23/09/07 Premier League: MANCHESTER UNITED 2, CHELSEA 0
>>19/05/07 FA Cup final: CHELSEA 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 0
BENITEZ SENDS POINTED WARNING TO PHIL
Rafael Benitez has warned Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari to be wary of Manchester United's alleged intimidation of referees when the sides clash at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Liverpool boss launched a staggering attack on the conduct of United boss Sir Alex Ferguson towards referees and footballing authority.
In his outburst, the Anfield manager was critical of what he claimed was intimidation of officials in matches at the Old Trafford.
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