He told the Daily Mail: "Maybe. When you see the ages they've got it could be hard. Apart from Kalou and Obi. Ballack, for example, is 32.

"They are an experienced side. I'm not saying necessarily that they're old because with the modern-day training methods, you should be playing in your 30s.

"What I'm saying is that I don't see outstanding progress coming from a team that's in their 30s."