Debate: are Chelsea the inferior team?

Carlos Tevez, the Manchester United striker, has declared that his team are superior to Chelsea and are clear favourites to win the Champions League final in Moscow. “That is a psychological problem for them," the Argentinian said. "They may say the Premier League is another story, another issue, but we're convinced that it will have an impact on what happens in the final.

“We are favourites and everyone knows it. We are not worried by Chelsea - we are concentrated and focused - but for them it is different. This is more than a final for them. Their whole season rests on the outcome of this game and I'm convinced that they have some problems in that team."

Tevez believes United are used to being under pressure in every game and that the only extra incentive they have is to try to win the European Cup 50 years after the Munich air disaster.

Will Chelsea be trying too hard? They need victory to claim silverware this season and Roman Abramovich is desperate to win in his home country? Avram Grant's job could be on the line should they fail and to make matters worse, reports from Italy suggest Frank Lampard will join Inter Milan this summer.

What do you think? Is Tevez playing mind games? Will Chelsea players and staff be feeling the pressure? Or will United be creaking under similar levels of expectation? Have your say.

Comments

[declan seachoy]

Manchester United would have been the superior team even if they had not won the League. They have the better, proven manager who is used to the big matches. They have a chairman who does not interfer with anything on the football side. And above all they have a superior team - a solid back 4 who have played most games this season, they have the best attacking flair, and the right balance and chemistry throughout the side. And another thing, what happened the last time a United player complained like Drogba is doing so all the time? He got sold to Real Madrid. (van Nistelrooy not Beckham). And what happened to United? They won the league. Twice.

[Mikko]

What on earth are they doing playing this match in Moscow? All those flights adding tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere for no good reason.

It should be played in Manchester or London where the visiting team would have a chance to take a train and help save the planet. The whole scenario of 40,000 people flying to Russia for 90 minutes worth of enterntainment between two UK sides is an obsenity.

[Rob]

Not only is he wrong, but I hope he sticks that stupid dummy in his mouth after Drogba sticks 2 in the back of his net...stick to playing football. What will make this even more special is that Chelsea will win in spite of the hugely inferior coach. Enough said...let the games begin! P.S. We shall see who the real footballer is: D R O G B A!

[karl]

There is little between them. When you look at the season, Man Utd ended 2 points clear and Chelsea have had major disruptions. They have different styles and this in part is down to personnel, yet you could not say that one team is superior or inferior. Even the result on Wednesday will not necessarily tell us that.

[Owen]

Of course Chelski are an inferior team. As much as I dislike the Manchester Red Sox I have to admit Ferguson's got a proper formation and a vision of how he wants the team to play.

Chelski just throw large amounts of someone else's money around, and muscle the other team off the pitch. It's the ugliest football imaginable.

[Ben]

In many ways he is right. Look at the number of trophies between the two clubs, the league position this season, goals scored and conceded, the type of football produced, etc... theres a firm argument to back up what Tevez said.

But he is obviously talking a good game. It might backfire by stiring chelsea. Its a dangerous game hes playing, I guess.

[aw]

Man Utd are the better side. They have proved it by being much better over 38 games. Of course you dont have to be the better side to win the CL - Liverpool will tell you about that. Even if they lose to Chelsea, they are still the better side.

[Harry]

Tevez is simply talking up the game. Of course he feels Man Utd are the better side. They have just won the league. He is simply confident.

The proof will be in the pudding. These comments can only serve to stir it up and create, hopefully, a better game than last years FA Cup final...........