CARLO ANCELOTTI has delivered a warning to his rivals at home and abroad by claiming he is a better manager a year on from taking over at Chelsea and, as such, can steer the club to the first Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble in their history.

The Italian enjoyed a hugely successful first season at Stamford Bridge, winning the title and the FA Cup, and ahead of the new campaign, which begins with tomorrow’s Community Shield contest against Manchester United at Wembley, feels sure there is more to come – not only from his squad, but also himself.

“I had doubts last year when I started, but now I have more knowledge about the team and club and about the atmosphere in England and the teams here and so I think we will start the season in a different situation,” said Ancelotti, who had managed in Italy for 14 years before his arrival in England last June, most notably at Milan where he won the Champions League twice and Serie A once. “I think so (that he is a better manager). Last year was a fantastic experience for me and I have improved because of it.”

Being holders will, Ancelotti believes, make retaining the league and FA Cup “more difficult” for Chelsea, but he sees no reason why they cannot. He has also backed his team to end their long pursuit of the Champions League, which last season ended with defeat to the eventual winners, Internazionale.

“Last year every player did their best and we want to do the same again,” he said. “We plan to be competitive and do better in the Champions League.”

Chelsea’s preparation for the new campaign has hardly been ideal, with the team having lost their last three pre-season fixtures, most recently Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat at Hamburg.

Ancelotti is not overly concerned, however, and has instead put the poor run of form down to lack of sharpness among his players, especially those who only returned to the club at end of last month having featured at the World Cup.

To that end, the 51-year-old has broken rank with many of his fellow Premier League managers by claiming next week’s international friendlies can be a benefit ahead of the opening weekend of the season.

“It’s not a problem,” he insisted. “The players who came back on July 26th need to play more and if they have the possibility then that is good. These games can improve their condition.”

Ancelotti is to make one change to the team that started against Hamburg, with Hilario replacing Ross Turnbull in goal. That means Didier Drogba will again start on the bench as he continues his recovery from groin surgery.

Meanwhile, Alex Ferguson believes United come face to face with the biggest obstacle to their quest to reclaim domestic superiority this season when they take on Chelsea.

Although Manchester City have once again been England’s biggest spenders this summer, Liverpool have kept hold of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and Tottenham are buoyed by a favourable Champions League qualifying draw, Ferguson is adamant last season’s double winners are the team to beat.

Ancelotti has been active in the transfer market, striking early to lure Yossi Benayoun south from Anfield and then agreeing an €21 million fee with Benfica for Brazilian midfielder Ramires.

And, although there are still doubts hanging over the futures of defensive duo Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho, Ferguson will be looking to Stamford Bridge for the main danger this term.

“With the experience Chelsea have got, you have to look at them being the biggest threat,” said Ferguson. “They won the league and the cup last year and I do think you have to see the team that won the league as the ones you look at.”

Not that Ferguson is ignoring the other challengers either. He has been saying for years now that the general standard at the top end of the table is improving and is convinced the trend is continuing, despite Sam Allardyce’s claim that more top players are being put off Premier League life by the 50 per cent top-rate of tax.

“It is a league with a lot of dangers,” he said. “The competition is being raised all the time.

“Last year, the monopoly of the big four was squashed when Tottenham came into it and they will make progress this year.

“Manchester City have bought again, so you obviously have to put them into the equation and Everton, who had so many injury problems last year, will also come into it.

“There is no doubt in my mind it is going to be a more competitive league every year now.”

Patrice Evra will not feature in the Community Shield given he has only just returned to training, while Michael Carrick has been ruled out for a fortnight with an ankle injury sustained against the Airtricity League XI on Wednesday.

GuardianService