‘We can get even better,’ Veron warns title rivals

MIDFIELDER Juan Sebastian Veron has warned Chelsea’s title rivals that there is still considerable room for improvement in the Blues’ performances as they continue to gel as a team.

Chelsea lie second in the table, a point behind leaders Arsenal but with a game in hand, having dropped just two points so far this season in a 2-2 draw at home to Blackburn.

Coach Claudio Ranieri is still experimenting with his first-choice line-up as he attempts to bring together the host of signings that have arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Veron, who cost £15 million from Manchester United, is delighted at the early impact which Chelsea have made despite so many new faces.

However, he insisted: “I still think we can play much better than we have been playing up until now. Luckily for us, in spite of that, the results are still going the way that we want.

“What we must do now is keep our feet on the ground, as we have been doing so far. Right now, we’re not at our absolute best, but as long as we keep the faith and keep our style of playing, I’m sure that we’ll keep on getting the good results.”

Veron, who returned to full training yesterday along with Marcel Desailly after missing last weekend’s 5-0 win at Wolves due to injury, has been used in a variety of midfield roles by Ranieri.

The Argentina international was frustrated at his lack of central midfield opportunities with United, but told Chelsea TV: “It’s really not a problem. I’ve always been a central midfielder but any position is fine.”

Chelsea TV also recounted the tale of how midfielder Claude Makelele forgot to check the team notice board last Thursday and arrived for training at the normal time of 10am the following day.

The only problem was that the team were due to train at 3pm before catching the coach up to Wolverhampton and Makelele was duly puzzled.

Reporter Neil Barnett revealed: “He looked on the notice board, which said ‘3pm train’ and asked: ‘Where is the train, does it come to the training ground?'”