CHELSEA’S new manager Big Phil Scolari yesterday shocked the team’s fans by saying it could take FIFTY years to topple Man United as the world’s No1 club.


He scoffed at chief executive Peter Kenyon’s bold boast that the Blues would be world beaters inside six years.

And the Brazilian boss made it clear the club — bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich — is still a minnow compared to historic giants such as United and Real Madrid.

Scolari said: “Maybe in 20 or 50 years Chelsea will be on that level. Chelsea is a growing name.

“Before it was Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Milan. But we are catching them up.

"Maybe it won’t be the same as them because our history is not the same. You don’t make history in one, two or even ten years.”

Scolari also revealed his surprise at how unpopular Chelsea are in England, after the adulation they received on their recent tour of China, Malaysia and Russia.

He said: “I want to make Chelsea loved around the world.”


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Meanwhile United ace Cristiano Ronaldo risked a ribbing from his team-mates after watching a concert by veteran crooner Julio Iglesias in Portimao, Portugal.

Iglesias once played for Real Madrid, the club Ronaldo may head to.

Earlier the winger visited a Lisbon clinic for treatment on his injured ankle.
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