Former Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has spoken out about Chelsea’s position in the Champions League. The Blues were not part of last season’s competition but will be back next season after winning the title under Antonio Conte. And Bayern Munich manager Ancelotti has admitted he is worried about the threat that Chelsea pose for next season.

Ancelotti spent two years in charge at Stamford Bridge, winning no trophies at the club. He reached a Champions League quarter final in 2011, but the following season Chelsea won their first and only Champion’s league title – the last of any English club to do so.

But despite English clubs’ poor form in the Champion’s League lately, Ancelotti has warned that he has an eye on his former side – saying that they will be competitive. “I can not wish Antonio to win the Champions League, but of course Chelsea will be competitive,” said Ancelotti.

“They have bought really good players, the team is better compared to last year – it was a fantastic year for Chelsea and for Antonio.”

“He was able to change the mentality of the team, the style of play and everything was okay. For this reason they are going to be really, really competitive. To win? I don’t know. I hope not!”

Ancelotti also said that he believes Premier League clubs as a whole will provide more of a challenge. Five English clubs will play in the Champion’s League next season, and the 58-year-old understands that the competition’s competitiveness will have cranked up a notch.

“I think there is not a lot of difference. In the last period of the Champions League, the Premier League team had problems.”

“But I think this year they have really good teams in the Champions League – Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City.”

“With these teams the Champions League will be more competitive this year. There was a period where the English teams were not in (the latter stages) of the competition, but this period has finished.”
[Quotes via Evening Standard]