We will be ready for WBA says Carlo

Last updated : 08 August 2010 By Paul Lagan

Chelsea lost 1-3 to Manchester United in today's community Shield match at Wembley this afternoon.

Goals from Valencia, Hernandez and a late chip from Berbatov consigned Chelsea to another pre-season defeat – their fourth in a row.

Chelsea’s lone strike came from Salomon Kalou

Chelsea starts the defence of their Premier League crown on Saturday with a 5.30pm kick-off at home to West Bromwich Albion.

They will have to improve at a great rate this week if they are going to prove to be resilient and hang onto their title come May.

However post-match, in the bowels of Wembley, the assembled hacks and hackettes heard these pearls of wisdom from the Chelsea head coach

“We lost four games but we did our best as a job. It was difficult.

“We need the players who came back to training on July 26 to improve.

But now we are disappointed to lose but we need to look forward to next week.

The defeat can happen. United played better than us and deserved to win.

They played a good game.

“The team will be in top condition - 100 per cent in two weeks.

Mikel is fit, Essien played his first 90 mines game in 8 months, and Drogba needs two more weeks to be fit.

But Ancelotti is not too bothered in facing WBA next week

“I’m not worried by next week’s game but we need to improve and have more time in possession and we played too slowly.

“We did not find our play in the first half so we need to work [more].

Carlo is happy to send off John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole to England duty.

“The England players are very close to being fit for England – it’s good for them to play an international game on Wednesday.

“They need to improve their speed.

“Deco we have to wait before leaving Chelsea – we gave them the possibility to go to Brazil [and play for Fluminese] but nothing is decided just yet.

“But we have possibility to play a midfielder to replace Deco.

“Cech will be fit for WBA but not Alex or Bosingwa.

I would like to answer question about Ramires, but nothing is decided yet either.

Carlo seemed happier to talk about the opposition

“Scholes is a fantastic player but we gave him more possibility to allow him to play well.

He has fantastic touch he was man of the match.

 

Plus it was nice to hear

Sir Alex Ferguson speak to the press.

He was very happy: “We are pleased and the players had more game time.

“It was very important for Wayne to play and Owen plus others who were well short of game time.

“Hernandez is so quick and it5 was not a surprise to see him in that position to score the second goal - I think he scored with his head.

“The lad does not lack confidence,” said Ferguson.

“He has scored in every game he’s played for us and gives us something different to the other strikers.

“I was pleased with Wayne he put in a magnificent ball to Antonio [Valencia].

“Berbatov has fantastic ability and will show that in games for us. He is one that the press picks on.

“Scholes is a strange player who keeps coming back despite injuries – an unusual person and an incredible character.

“I was certain Carrick was out for two weeks – but he came in and said he was fit – so I –played him.”

 

Ferguson went on to talk of other United players: “We don’t have any main injures in this group of players.

“Anderson, Hargreaves and Ferdinand are a few weeks behind but if I can keep the squad together we have a good chance.

“All clubs are interested in Orzil – I don’t need to add to the squad.  I don’t know if we are interested or not?”

And with that he upped and left – a class act.

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