Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti rates England a superior team to Italy.

Chelsea's Italian boss reckons fellow countryman Fabio Capello has worked wonders with the Three Lions - and believes they could relieve the Azzurri of their crown in South Africa.

Ancelotti said: "The England team has excellent credentials.

"They have players who play at a very high level and there are great expectations for the World Cup.

"In Italy the situation is different because they are going through a transitional period.

"Coach Marcello Lippi will do well to unite the players who are emerging within the squad and those who were successful in 2006."