EPL News: Harry backs Chelsea for the title win as Houllier tells Spurs to back off Ashley Young
Tottenham Hotspurs, who provided yet another twist in the title race yesterday, are now title contenders according to their manager, Harry Redknapp but Harry still favours the Chelsea team that won the league last season. He said, "They
(Chelsea), for me, would still be slight favorites over Manchester United, Arsenal, then Manchester City, Tottenham come into the reckoning. Liverpool are starting to put a run together, Aston Villa, whoever, it's open for somebody. If everybody believes you've
got a chance then you've got a chance. If you think you're never going to do it then don't bother.”
He added, "Chelsea have got problems in so much as they've lost (Frank) Lampard, they've lost 20 goals a year from midfield. They've had John Terry missing, last week they had Alex missing as well at the back, they've had Essien missing.
You take your best players out and you are obviously not going to be quite as good. Chelsea have had a problem with that. But when it comes to handing out the trophies, be it Champions League, be it Premier League, Chelsea will be right there again this year."
In other news, Spurs have been warned by Aston Villa’s manager, Gerard Houllier as they have been linked with a move for Villa’s winger Ashley Young in the upcoming winter transfer window. Young was bought by Villa from Watford way back
in 2007, and since then the winger has risen to new heights with the Villains. Spurs might make a move for the youngster if Villa are willing to sell.
However, Gerard Houllier was in no mood to play it sweet when it came to Tottenham’s interest in Young as he said, "Every time a player is available, Tottenham are mentioned. I'm sure Harry Redknapp must be wondering what's going on. But
I can tell you the reports about Ashley and Spurs are not keeping me awake at night. That's because I can say here and now that Ashley Young will not be going anywhere in January. Absolutely not. They would have to buy this club for that to happen. They would
have to come in with a ridiculous amount of money."
Houllier was previously at Liverpool as a first team manager in early 2000s and before that he was a part of the management team which led France to the 1999 World Cup title. Recently, he was in a coaching job at Lyon before leaving the
French club to maintain ties with the French football association. Houllier was appointed Villa’s manager in September but he took over in early October.
Houllier went onto say, "To be consistently picked at international level you need to be very good at club level. This is the target for Ashley. He's not there yet but I am sure he will make it. He just needs to repeat his outstanding
games to take that step to the next level. It's all about consistency, simple as that."
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