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EXCLUSIVE: Jean-Pierre Papin Tips Chelsea For The Champions League, Believes France Can Win World Cup
In a wide-ranging interview given to Goal.com France, the former striker has given his opinion on all the hot topics of the day, speaking extensively on Europe’s elite club competition, les Bleus, Franck Ribery and former club Milan...
| Bet: | Returns: | Chelsea £12.50 | Draw £52.00 | Birmingham £90.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chelsea £12.50 | Draw £48.00 | Birmingham £90.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chelsea £13.00 | Draw £50.00 | Birmingham £110.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chelsea £12.90 | Draw £55.00 | Birmingham £95.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Chelsea £12.50 | Draw £50.00 | Birmingham £98.00 |
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Feb 15, 2010 11:07:00 AM
By Marie Ange Kostoff, Goal.com France
France international great Jean-Pierre Papin has exclusively told Goal.com that Chelsea should be considered favourites for the Champions League and that les Bleus have as good a shot at winning the World Cup as any of the other 31 teams in South Africa this summer.
Papin is clearly of the belief that top level competition in both the club and international game is very open. Indeed, he believes that former club Milan have the ability to upset Manchester United, whom they tackle in the first leg of their last 16 clash on Tuesday evening.
“Milan are a team returning to the Champions League and are capable of anything,” he told Goal.com France. “There is a big test that is Manchester United, but Milan are capable of beating any team now, even Manchester.
“Today it might be very clever to say that [Milan] will become champions of Europe – but I won’t take that risk,” the 1991 Ballon d’Or winner joked. “And that’s what’s good today. Whether it’s in Europe or in France, there are so many great teams, squads capable of being great one day and then anything the next... Everything is open, even if I would make Chelsea the favourites today.
“For me they’re the strongest team. Don’t ask me why else! I feel like this... They are the team that have impressed me most and have been most consistent since the beginning of the year.”
If Papin believes that the Champions League will be a close run competition, he reserves the same judgement for the World Cup.
Asked of France’s chances in South Africa, the Chateauroux coach replied: “The same as the other 31 teams! Now they are qualified for the World Cup, it’s fairly open. Everyone will play for the knockout stages.”
Though he describes picking a favourite for the competition as “complicated”, he holds England boss Fabio Capello in a certain reverence, having played under the Italian’s guidance at Milan. “Capello is a master, someone who brings discipline, who is very demanding,” the Frenchman said. “If he happens to transpose these qualities to England, they are a competitor who can be very dangerous.”
As for the French team, much of their hype is around Franck Ribery, who is at the epicentre of a long-running tug of war between present employers Bayern Munich and a host of top European teams, most notably Real Madrid. Though team-mate Arjen Robben has urged the former Olympique de Marseille man to remain at the Allianz Arena, Papin believes the choice has to lie with the player.
“It’s him who must decide,” the two-time Serie A champion explained. “We're not players and advisers are not players, so it's not easy. I think Frank is someone who is emotional. And if he feels good in Munich, he must stay there because he has everything he needs. If he wants to try his luck elsewhere, why not?
“When you look at Madrid with all their stars, you might only play once in a while and it could perhaps become a bit complicated.”
Interestingly, it is not one of los Blancos’ Galacticos whom Papin quotes as his favourites player, and neither is it one of Barcelona’s remarkable all-conquering team. Instead, the former striker has looked to England, picking out Liverpool’s Fernando Torres.
“The problem is that he is a player who has played injured for a very long time,” the 46-year-old lamented. “Today he is still injured. But if I had to choose, I would say him.”
Papin continues to coach in France, where he now leads Ligue 2 outfit Chateauroux, who are presently placed 17th in the second flight, just one point above the relegation zone. There is clearly much work for the French great to complete before he can enjoy the skills of Torres, Ribery et al. in South Africa this summer.
Papin is clearly of the belief that top level competition in both the club and international game is very open. Indeed, he believes that former club Milan have the ability to upset Manchester United, whom they tackle in the first leg of their last 16 clash on Tuesday evening.
“Milan are a team returning to the Champions League and are capable of anything,” he told Goal.com France. “There is a big test that is Manchester United, but Milan are capable of beating any team now, even Manchester.
“Today it might be very clever to say that [Milan] will become champions of Europe – but I won’t take that risk,” the 1991 Ballon d’Or winner joked. “And that’s what’s good today. Whether it’s in Europe or in France, there are so many great teams, squads capable of being great one day and then anything the next... Everything is open, even if I would make Chelsea the favourites today.
“For me they’re the strongest team. Don’t ask me why else! I feel like this... They are the team that have impressed me most and have been most consistent since the beginning of the year.”
If Papin believes that the Champions League will be a close run competition, he reserves the same judgement for the World Cup.
Asked of France’s chances in South Africa, the Chateauroux coach replied: “The same as the other 31 teams! Now they are qualified for the World Cup, it’s fairly open. Everyone will play for the knockout stages.”
Though he describes picking a favourite for the competition as “complicated”, he holds England boss Fabio Capello in a certain reverence, having played under the Italian’s guidance at Milan. “Capello is a master, someone who brings discipline, who is very demanding,” the Frenchman said. “If he happens to transpose these qualities to England, they are a competitor who can be very dangerous.”
As for the French team, much of their hype is around Franck Ribery, who is at the epicentre of a long-running tug of war between present employers Bayern Munich and a host of top European teams, most notably Real Madrid. Though team-mate Arjen Robben has urged the former Olympique de Marseille man to remain at the Allianz Arena, Papin believes the choice has to lie with the player.
“It’s him who must decide,” the two-time Serie A champion explained. “We're not players and advisers are not players, so it's not easy. I think Frank is someone who is emotional. And if he feels good in Munich, he must stay there because he has everything he needs. If he wants to try his luck elsewhere, why not?
“When you look at Madrid with all their stars, you might only play once in a while and it could perhaps become a bit complicated.”
Interestingly, it is not one of los Blancos’ Galacticos whom Papin quotes as his favourites player, and neither is it one of Barcelona’s remarkable all-conquering team. Instead, the former striker has looked to England, picking out Liverpool’s Fernando Torres.
“The problem is that he is a player who has played injured for a very long time,” the 46-year-old lamented. “Today he is still injured. But if I had to choose, I would say him.”
Papin continues to coach in France, where he now leads Ligue 2 outfit Chateauroux, who are presently placed 17th in the second flight, just one point above the relegation zone. There is clearly much work for the French great to complete before he can enjoy the skills of Torres, Ribery et al. in South Africa this summer.
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