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THE THURSDAY INTERVIEW: RAY WILKINS

/noticias.info/ Having caught his breath after representing Chelsea Old Boys against the Boston Braves this week, Ray Wilkins shares his views on our Champions League prospects, the Premier League title race, and the midfield men filling his position.

During his own playing days, Wilkins was a Chelsea youth product with a fine array of passing, who went on to make 84 appearances for England in a career that also took in Manchester United, Paris St Germain, AC Milan and our west London neighbours QPR.

He made his debut as a 17-year-old, and by the time he was 18, he was Chelsea's youngest ever captain showing a maturity beyond his years.

Now, he works as a Champions League expert for Sky, and it was on that subject that he began. Having seen plenty of European action this season, he believes we have what it takes to go all the way to Moscow, and has already considered how it may pan out.

'The quarter-finals have panned out great as far as Chelsea are concerned, with Fenerbahce away first, you would have to say with the quality Chelsea have that over the two legs they would go through,' he says.

'Then of course the important part of the semi-final, whether it is against Arsenal or Liverpool, is that the second leg is at Stamford Bridge, which is a real bonus. When they've gone out to Liverpool on both occasions, it's been at Anfield in the second leg. Now that's reversed, I would fancy Chelsea to beat Arsenal and Liverpool in a second leg at Chelsea, so from that aspect I am very hopeful that they'll get through.'

Wilkins also believes our opposition in the final, should we make it, is likely to be another of his former clubs.

'Man United, again for them it has panned out great, they play Roma at Old Trafford in the second leg. The Olympic stadium isn't the most intimidating place, but it's very different at Old Trafford on a European night, and if it's the semi-final, I'm not too concerned at them having to beat Barcelona over two games, as I think Barca will beat Schalke, again because of the second leg at Old Trafford. I am sure they would go through at home.'

So with an all English Chelsea Manchester United final, who does 'Butch' think would come out on top?

'I have a thing about Chelsea that they are the only team that can keep a clean sheet against Manchester United, because defensively they are so strong. If you consider Chelsea haven't conceded a Champions League goal in six games, that's phenomenal stuff when you are playing against the best.

'So they are doing great, and they have kept clean sheets against Manchester United as well, so I see no reason why it can't be a Chelsea victory.'

Unfortunately, we may have to wait until May 21 to find out if he is correct, but it is certainly a thought many Blues fans have already entertained.

Another thought that Wilkins has considered is how he would suit the modern game, and whether he could adapt to the style of Chelsea in 2008. He explains that given the company in the centre of the park, he would have little difficulty.

'No problem, I honestly believe when you are playing with players of real quality and you are on the same wavelength then you'll get by with no problem at all.

'I think I would have done Claude's role, that was more my role, one I really enjoyed doing as well, and when you think he's got the likes of Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard in front of him, that's pretty formidable stuff.

'It's not bad is it? He gives a master class sometimes when I watch him play, he is always available for the second pass, I just love watching Claude play, I am a great admirer of his. To have a role named after you is the epitome, and you only have to look at the way Real Madrid have collapsed as a world force since Claude has left and the accolades given out by Zinedine Zidane - he is just a super player.'

It isn't just Makelele that impresses our former assistant manager. He is taken with the goal scoring exploits of Frank Lampard, and believes his talents are almost unique, particularly suited to Chelsea's way of playing.

'Frank is on his way to scoring 20 league goals again, which from a midfield point of view is unbelievable. People are talking about him leaving, but I don't think there's any way on God's earth Chelsea would allow him.

'You would have to scour the earth to find another, there is him and there is Steven Gerrard who can score like that. We didn't score as many in my day, more often than not we played 4-4-2, and Frank I don't think would score 20 in a 4-4-2.

'In a 4-3-3, when he breaks into the box he is breaking with just one centre forward, so there is more space for him to get into. He thinks like a forward and scores like one. You have him on one side, and Ballack will always score a goal. With his height he will always chip in. I think Essien is tailor-made, when Claude calls it a day, to fill his role and will be phenomenal in that position.'

Wilkins demonstrated the perfect way to play the role himself on Tuesday afternoon, as he helped orchestrate an 8-3 Chelsea Old Boys victory against the Boston Braves. While he admits his legs have ceased to work as he would like, his trademark passing game was still in ship shape.

'I don't think you ever lose the basic stuff that you had, it's the power in your legs that isn't there any more. You can't get about the field as much as you would like, not that I used to get about too much anyway,' he joked.
'But, I think it's the camaraderie that we really look forward to, seeing everybody and being involved.'

It was the 50-year-old's third game of the season with his former colleagues, and he is delighted with how things are turning out since official association with the club.

'It's going great yes, we had a very enjoyable game against the Boston Braves and it's good fun. It's always good fun when we get together, the banter takes you back and you get out there.

'You obviously can't play as you would like to play, but that's old age unfortunately. We always have a great bit of fun and we're being looked after by Chelsea which is great. The kit is fantastic and everything seems to be working nicely, so that's fantastic, and from that aspect everybody is quite pleased.'

There is little doubt that a couple of things would please him even more: Chelsea success in Europe, and some competition for places from a certain Frenchman in a few years time, when Makelele becomes eligible for Old Boys action.

You can find out more about the Chelsea Old Boys by clicking here. notas_de_prensa_archivo