Le Saux backs Man Utd for Premier League but Chelsea for Europe

By Simon Hayes on May 7, 2008 4:15 PM |

Tagged with:

IT SHOULD be Manchester United, but Chelsea will be ready to capitalise on any mistakes.

That’s the view of ex-Chelsea star Graeme Le Saux on this weekend’s Premier League climax, which sees the two clubs both in with a shout of clinching the title.

Le Saux, speaking at the launch of the Real Man Cycling Challenge yesterday, thinks defending champions United hold the aces.

He said: “The advantage is still with Manchester United. They are effectively a point ahead with their goal difference and I don’t think they’ll slip up at Wigan.

“Chelsea are at home to Bolton and that’s not a dead cert. But the atmosphere on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, and the form of the team means they will beat Bolton, so at least they’ll finish the season giving themselves the best chance if Manchester United do slip up.”

But Le Saux thinks the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21 is another matter. He said: “The Premier League is one thing, but they’ve got time to focus on the Champions League final.

“It’s the first time in the club’s history they’ve been there and it’s a sweet irony that it was the only thing that eluded Jose Mourinho. It’s a great opportunity for Avram Grant to say ‘I know I’ve had a lot of grief this year, but look what I’ve delivered’.

“Just getting to the final is an achievement. If they can go one step further it’ll be incredible.

“He’s done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances. Jose Mourinho was an incredible coach, so they were big shoes to fill. But results really do speak for themselves.”