LA Galaxy star David Beckham says Chelsea's players will soon grow to admire new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

"The players can expect to work with the ultimate professional. He works so hard and is so organised and dedicated," Beckham told the News of the World.

"Carlo will be the first on the training pitch and the last off it because he just loves working with the players himself. That's his passion. You won't find him sitting in his office leaving it to someone else. He is very hands on.

"That's how he was at Milan and I'm sure that's how he will be at Chelsea, leading by example, leading the team. But while he is serious about his work and his football, he is also a lot of fun to work with. He is very relaxed, very down-to- earth and likes a joke.

"He is very approachable and easy to talk to and to get along with. Basically he's a very laid back person. No-one, though, should mis-judge that or misunderstand it because he is also very professional, very focused and concentrated.

"If someone there needs telling they are doing something wrong then, without a doubt, he will tell them. But if the Chelsea players work hard for him they will all get on great.

"I was at Milan for six months and I now consider him a friend, a good friend. I remember how he once took me to dinner in his home town near Parma and it was one of the best meals I had in all the time I was in Italy.

"The ham was incredible, the cheese was incredible but, best of all, they do these cherries in syrup on top of ice cream - just unbelievable!

"After that, I actually used to drive an hour from Milan to Parma just for the cherries and ice cream, an hour in the car, in the traffic but it was worth it! Everyone knew I loved them so much that, as a leaving present, they gave me six big tubs. So I thank him for that."