Chelsea will become super-fit under Carlo Ancelotti - David Beckham

David Beckham thinks Chelsea will become one of the fittest teams in the world under Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti, Beckham's former boss at AC Milan, will arrive at the Blues' Cobham training centre next month armed with the secrets of the Milanello complex in Italy.

And Beckham, who refuses to rule out a return to the Premier League and could yet be reunited with the Italian at Stamford Bridge, has had personal experience of the Ancelotti effect - his fitness levels improving enormously under the coach.

Beckham said: "Milan is one of the best clubs for fitness and for working that I've ever been at. Having spent a long time at Manchester United, that is saying something.

"It helped me a lot. A lot of the things to do with fitness were his idea. I'm sure he'll take that into Chelsea.

"It will be good for them. He'll make sure that a lot of hard work goes on at the club.

"Italian managers are renowned for a lot of technical work. He'll improve that area at Chelsea as well."

England star Beckham spent three hours in the MilanLab with Dr Jean-Pierre Meersseman, Milan's head of medical science, when he joined on loan from LA Galaxy in January.

And the session convinced him he could prolong his playing career well beyond his predicted retirement age of 35.

England's most capped outfield player has nothing but praise for the man who was instrumental in rescuing him from the American club with a loan move to the San Siro.

He said: "With Carlo Ancelotti leaving AC Milan, it is the end of an era, the end of some extraordinary years.

"One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Milan was because of Carlo. He's a great manager and he has such a great world reputation.

"Obviously I wanted to play for AC Milan as well. I wanted to play under him. I still want to play for them without him. So good luck to him at Chelsea.

"Everything I do from now on will about being in good condition for next summer's World Cup.

"That is my biggest priority." However, Ancelotti's arrival at Chelsea has left Beckham uncertain as to whether Milan will re-sign him next year,

He said: "I know I need to be playing at the top level and on top form to be part of the England squad. I will do everything possible to make that happen.

"The manager, Fabio Capello, said to me when I went on loan that wherever I went I should be playing at the highest level.

"Whether that's the Premier League or another League, I don't know. Obviously I did it with Milan. And most leagues in Europe are at the top level.

"I'll be thinking about where I'll be going in December. It has not been finalised, although Milan is one of the clubs that have shown an interest.

"But I will be coming back to Europe due to the World Cup."

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