Mancini refuses to rule out Chelsea

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is refusing to rule out Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title.

The West Londoners are currently 10 points behind the leaders, a gap that could be insurmountable if City win at Stamford Bridge tonight.

However, Mancini knows anything can happen at the top after seeing Manchester United overturn a big deficit against Chelsealast season.

Possible

“Last year Chelsea had a big lead over (Manchester United) but in the end United won the title by seven or eight points plus [nine],” explained the Italian.

“The Premier League is very difficult and in these two months, all the teams that play every three days will find it difficult.

“I think they can win it. They have 10 points less than us but we play two times against them and there are 24 games until the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Mancini has given the thumbs up to Blues’ new managerAndre Villas-Boas, who replaced compatriot Carlo Ancelotti in the summer.

The Portuguese tactician has endured a rocky ride during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, but Mancini believes he is a good manager for the club.

“I think that has shown in the last year he is a good manager,” he said of Villas-Boas.

“He did well at Porto, he won trophies. Chelsea did well to get him.

“Carlo Ancelotti is a fantastic manager and I was sorry for him when Chelsea decided to sack him, but I think Villas-Boas is a good manager for them.”