DAVID BECKHAM EXCLUSIVE

England legend tips new Chelsea boss to make massive impact

What David Beckham really said to LA Galaxy fan

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From ROB BEASLEY in Los Angeles, 18/07/2009

THE love David Beckham has for Manchester United remains undiluted.

Even thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, there is part of his heart that will always belong to Old Trafford.

But even this life-long United fan fears Sir Alex Ferguson's current domination of English football is about to come to an abrupt end.

The reason? Carlo Ancelotti.

Beckham fell under Ancelotti's spell during a six-month loan spell at AC Milan last season and was so impressed he's backing the Italian to outwit Ferguson and lead Chelsea to their first league title since the heady days of Jose Mourinho.

Basking in the scorching Californian sunshine after training at LA Galaxy's Home Depot Center, Beckham gave a glowing endorsement of Ancelotti's strengths.

He also out-lined the reasons why the Italian's consummate professionalism will herald a Chelsea resurrection.

"Chelsea are so lucky because Carlo is a great man and a great manager," claimed Beckham.

"He can definitely make Chelsea champions again. No doubt about it. And I say that even though everybody knows I have Manchester United in my heart.

"Yes, it will be difficult because the Premier League is totally different to the Serie A but he has great experience and I am convinced he will be a great success in England, too.

"You don't do what he did at Milan and suddenly lose it overnight. So I say good luck to him, he deserves it."

Beckham then gave an insight into what Chelsea players will experience through life under Ancelotti.

He said: "The players can expect to work with the ultimate professional. He works so hard and is so organised and dedicated.

"Carlo will be the first on the training pitch and the last off it because he just loves working with the players himself. That's his passion. You won't find him sitting in his office leaving it to someone else. He is very hands on.

"That's how he was at Milan and I'm sure that's how he will be at Chelsea, leading by example, leading the team. But while he is serious about his work and his football, he is also a lot of fun to work with. He is very relaxed, very down-to- earth and likes a joke.

CARLO ANCELOTTI - approachable

"He is very approachable and easy to talk to and to get along with. Basically he's a very laid back person. No-one, though, should mis-judge that or misunderstand it because he is also very professional, very focused and concentrated.

"If someone there needs telling they are doing something wrong then, without a doubt, he will tell them. But if the Chelsea players work hard for him they will all get on great.

"I was at Milan for six months and I now consider him a friend, a good friend. I remember how he once took me to dinner in his home town near Parma and it was one of the best meals I had in all the time I was in Italy.

"The ham was incredible, the cheese was incredible but, best of all, they do these cherries in syrup on top of ice cream - just unbelievable!

"After that, I actually used to drive an hour from Milan to Parma just for the cherries and ice cream, an hour in the car, in the traffic but it was worth it! Everyone knew I loved them so much that, as a leaving present, they gave me six big tubs. So I thank him for that."

ALEXANDRE PATO - talent

Beckham is so fond of Ancelotti that he has kept in touch with the man he is on first-name terms with. Becks grinned when he recalled their last conversation.

"I watched his first Chelsea interview the other day and it made me smile," he said. "That's exactly what he is like, his character came shining through.

"I said to him afterwards 'Your English is so much better now!' and we had a real laugh about it. I'm sure the Chelsea players and fans are going to love him just as much as I do."

Beckham also gave the thumbs up to Ancelotti's attempts to prise exciting young striker Alexandre Pato, 19, away from Milan.

He confessed: "I'm not surprised he's trying to get him to Chelsea. I said when I first played with Pato that he is one of the biggest talents that I have ever seen in all my years in football.

"I have never seen a player go past opponents with the ease that he does. And he's a goalscorer as well. If you want an idea of what he's like, well he has the pace of Theo Walcott and the finishing skills of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer which, obviously, makes him very, very special.

"He's got so many thing going for him. He's such a talent at such a young age he can grow to become a big, big star. So, if Chelsea can get him, that would be a huge signing."

ERIC CANTONA - replaced

Perhaps one of the strongest cards in Ancelotti's hand is the fact Beckham's beloved United will have to survive in a ferocious title race without the exhilarating talents of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Like Beckham before him, Ronaldo could not resist the lure of Real Madrid, leaving a void many United fans believe will be impossible to fill.

Beckham, though, begs to differ, as he explained: "United will always march on. Many great players have left United in the past, like Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and, probably the best comparison in this case, Eric Cantona.

"When Eric left it was a shock and it was a great loss and I have to admit for a time it was difficult. It will be the same now that Cristiano has gone. He is such a great talent and you can't underestimate what he did for the club over the last two years. He's been exceptional,

"Now he's moved on and the best of luck to him at Madrid. He is going to be a big success over there because he is such a great player.

"He works hard, is a great pro and an unbelievable talent. He has such an array of all-round skills - pace, tricks, he's two- footed, great in the air and makes and scores goals. Top class.

"He will be a great loss to United. But United always move on and even without Ronaldo they will continue to be a great threat to any team at home in England and anywhere around the world."

Enough of a threat to Ancelotti's Chelsea? Beckham wouldn't bet on it. Not for all the cherries in Parma.

Your comments

This article has 31 comments

in the context of comparing Utd AND CHELSEA, i think becks is right because in terms of the mind game i dont think fergie can stand a chance. honestly speaking Carlo can be extremely lethal when it comes to tactics.
he also has vast Uefa experience and I don't have any problem saying what he does not know is not worthy knowing.
However when it comes to the 38 games marathon I don't think he has the requisite arsenal because of his aging squad.
this can however be different if he manages to price the scintillating Pato away from San Siro.
It is however refreshing that he has shown great faith in the talent of young Obi Mikel.
It is my strongest conviction that this season belongs Liverpool & probably arsenal if not hit by injuries as recently happened to Nasri

By ishemunyoro chingwere.. Posted July 25 2009 at 2:27 PM.

Fat hope CFC!!!! This coming season it will be Man U, Man City and Liverpool.......

By bOROI.. Posted July 25 2009 at 1:09 AM.

I don't think chelsea will win this season.

they are not effective in the tranfers

they still not having any big names

and i don't think they will bring a big profile player within the tranfer period.

however you are a good manager, you must have a star players to win the title.

for example, last season you have seen arsene wenger fight to get the fourth place in the table.
and, in this season, i think that will happen again.

just look at manchester city they have been more effective on landing some of the best players. they will make the difference this season difference.

if you want the title you must bring the big players like,
ribery
pato
zlaten
messi
fabiano
lucas toni
eto'o
sergio ageure

or atleast you must sign
johnson of fulham
zaki of wigan
miccoli from italy
henry from barca

and finnally i believe amauri(juventus) will be the best suitable palyer for chelsea

By sathish.. Posted July 21 2009 at 3:57 AM.

Yo Golden Balls ! Bet your PR think tank is working overtime now. Thank god the americans were vocal enough to let fly their anger and made it known to you. Major repair work for your PR staff ! and the bookies are already taking bets that your departure resume will list the dissatisfied americans as one of the reasons; if not THE reason. And golden balls please stop using Capello as an excuse for your disappearing act from LA Galaxy. If you had wanted to play in the World Cup then why did you go to America in the first place? You can't be stupid enough not to know the difference between american and european soccer. I am not sure why your LA bosses should give in to your request to spend extended time in Italy. What bloody benefits do they get out of this ! A soccer break means you rest and when the season resume you go back fresh. Golden balls, what if you had injured yourself in Italy and limped back to america? the bookies had even accepted bets that you will use the injury excuse to skip the Galaxy season while you rest your injury in order to rejoin european soccer again. You are just a prima donna in disguise thinking you can walk in and out of any country's league football.

By singlionfish.. Posted July 20 2009 at 8:29 PM.

david beckham is still one of the best players in the world

some of the best players in the world lacked a little pace Platini cruyff hoddle brooking sherringham berkamp etc

look what he has achieved in football.for club and country.

maybe if more players had more respect for their coaches they might be as good as him.

Love the game

By James.. Posted July 20 2009 at 2:27 AM.

You Reds are having a laugh....

Bring back beckham to OT ....just proves that you are SKINT... and it will only take 2 years for you you to decline when tha Glazers cash in and you are begging for a buyer.....

Lets see what your gates are this season when all your southerners moan about the cost and crap you serve up at OT....
Beckam will not be your saviour and he certainly will not be entertained by RED NOSE....

Bring on the Derby at OT cant wait... 1-5

By Yashin.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:30 PM.

Am behind Becks every way , you can expect the best from the BEST

By Joanne Sapsed.. Posted July 19 2009 at 9:51 PM.

We just signed Michael Owen in the twilight of his career, so why not bring Becks back on loan too? would be an amazing swansong for one of the all time greats

By Nick Duckworth.. Posted July 19 2009 at 7:28 PM.

Becks when you say great players have left United you were too modest to mention yourself. Thank you for being a great United player role model and England captain. I have this dream you will come on in the World Cup Final next year and whip in a free kick in the last 10 mins to win England the World Cup. Then finally you would get the the praise that you really deserve.

LEGEND

By Rory.. Posted July 19 2009 at 5:55 PM.

Beckham, Beckham, Beckham,
What are you after son?

By Turbo.. Posted July 19 2009 at 5:43 PM.

David your as clear as glass, everyone can see right through you - see you at Chelsea on loan lol

By John.. Posted July 19 2009 at 4:34 PM.

After watching the CL you cand def see bow Chelsea is the better of the 2

By Lala.. Posted July 19 2009 at 1:51 PM.

"ppl will always try to slaughter him but u jus have to look at the teams he has played for and the goals he has scored, "
England have won absolutely nothing with him in the team. So what is special about the guy ? is it just his wife ?

By Keith Price.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:47 PM.

Aww how cute, sounds like Becks has a crush ;)
David & Carlo <3
Hahah :)

By Adam.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:35 PM.

becks is the man!! no doubt! ppl will always try to slaughter him but u jus have to look at the teams he has played for and the goals he has scored, clubs and country included! as for the man united fans, at the end of the day united have lost 2 great players, capable of scorin 60 odd goals a season between em, are u honestly sayin that u wont miss them players?? all u have to do is look at the games over the last 2 seasons when ronaldo didnt play and the facts spk for themselves. 44 odd goals in a season right?? who is gonna step up and do that at united now? as for tevez well diff story!! he came on and almost always scored there were 2 games last season, 1 was against wigan, and he came on and scored the crucial goals that pretty much handed united the title. the real man u fans will miss these 2 players big time. now to ian u either blind to the facts mate or jus like many of the man u 'fans' and dont live no where near manchester!! ronaldo will be missed for sure and im a GOONER!!!

By the wiz.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:20 AM.

Beckham, youre a joke, have you no self respect anymore ?

By ricky in manchester.. Posted July 19 2009 at 11:18 AM.

Shoe licker who wants to go to Chelsea cos he knows Ferguson wont touch either him, his wife or his team distracting media circus with a bargepole. Great news for all of CFC's rivals if he does go though i.e. his lack of pace and staminia will slow Chelseas game right down to an easily contained snails pace, so sure to drop loads and loads of points.

By Stephen.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:51 AM.

Beckham you are a star and a pro...you are welcome to round up ur career at stamford bridge...we believe in you.

By Alfy,Nigeria.. Posted July 19 2009 at 10:39 AM.

Translated as... I am going to Chelsea to make some money selling shirts for them as Fergie doesn't want me.

By Jennie.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:42 AM.

Sorry David... No amount of sucking up to Ancelotti is going to get you to Chelsea on loan.

...or will it?

By Ian.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:40 AM.

Manchester united will not waiver due to Ronaldo's departure, but will march on and defend the premier league title for the fourth time. No one will stand in our way...

By Arnold Tutu.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:23 AM.

Manchester united will not waiver due to Ronaldo's departure, but will march on and defend the premier league title for the fourth time. No one will stand in our way...

By Arnold Tutu.. Posted July 19 2009 at 8:22 AM.

Has your estimation of Manchester United's resilience fallen so low, Beckham,. Ancelotti pip Fergie!? ... No way he does not have the calibre to do do.

By El Cid.. Posted July 19 2009 at 7:25 AM.

I know a lot of people like Beckham and some even say he's intelligent. To them, I have only two words: Posh Spice??!!!????

By Richard Byrne.. Posted July 19 2009 at 6:35 AM.

Why do you print such rubbish? Now Chelsea haven't a hope, shame on you. It's obvious he's hoping for a Premiership club to come get him, but why doesn't he just buy one? They'll be dirt cheap pretty soon anyway.

By robert.. Posted July 19 2009 at 2:07 AM.

Has no one realised yet that he is headed to Chelsea? Beckham is on a tour of teams where Adidas make their kit. Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan..... Its all about the money

By Johhny Himuno.. Posted July 19 2009 at 1:29 AM.

Ooooo jealousy... you probably cycle to the local greasy KFC for your delicacy Forever England

By Kit.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:59 AM.

What a true Legend BECKS is " You have to be joking. Iy isn't surprising that his own LA galaxy fans booed him and hurled abuse at him the first chance they had

By Keith Price.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:56 AM.

What a true Legend BECKS is. He has said it as a professional that he is, and a very good article

By Richard.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:41 AM.

"... an hour in the car, in the traffic ... for cherries and ice cream". Ever heard of Global Warming, you stupid dolt.

By Forever England.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:33 AM.

Sounds like Mr Beckham is tapping up Carlo here..

Never know might get you a World Cup place after all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Yashin.. Posted July 19 2009 at 12:11 AM.

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