Fuente: © Chelsea FC
http://www.chelseafc.com/

CHELSEA: PETRESCU: DEFENCE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

/noticias.info/ Dan Petrescu has become the latest ex-Chelsea player to rate the Blues' chances in Moscow. He gave his views to chelseafc.com at last week's Star on a Stool event.

Petrescu is no stranger to European competition. A Cup Winners' Cup winner with Chelsea back 1998, he was also a European Cup Finalist nine years earlier in the days before it was renamed the Champions League, losing 4-0 when two goals apiece from Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten for AC Milan beat Steaua Bucharest.

Now with five years of coaching knowledge behind him, the Chelsea legend was keen to preview next Wednesday's game as we head towards Russia and our first Champions League Final.

As he considers Avram Grant's selection possibilities ahead of the clash, there is a name who stands out for Petrescu, a player who as a youngster in the same team gave a hint of Chelsea's future.

'I know John Terry's character and I know 100 per cent that he will be on the pitch on Wednesday and he will want to lead Chelsea to Champions League victory more than anyone,' explained the Romanian.

'All of Manchester United could make problems for Chelsea, especially Ronaldo. But I think that if John Terry plays with Ricardo Carvalho together, then there will be no problems.

'I think they are the best centre-backs in the world, I cannot see better defenders than when they are together.'

Not only does he believe Chelsea's defence is as strong as any in Europe, he feels our attacking force is pretty impressive as well.

'Drogba creates problems for every defender in the world but if he plays in the Champions League Final it will his first and I have a feeling that either him or Frank Lampard will score,' predicted Petrescu.

'Players like Drogba are the players who can win it for Chelsea.'

With Chelsea still close to his heart, it isn't hard to guess who Petrescu is backing to win the European title.

'It is going to be a great evening and I think Manchester United will lose to Chelsea in the final. One of the reasons is because they lost to Chelsea only a couple of weeks ago and that will be in their minds.

'Another reason is that Chelsea are hungrier than Man United, who have won the league and celebrated already.

'Chelsea are going to be in the Champions League Final for the first time in their history and this will make all the difference.' notas_de_prensa_archivo