Robson: All-England semi a close call

Sir Bobby Robson believes Chelsea can finally end their Liverpool jinx in the Champions League.

Chelsea lost out to Liverpool in the semi-finals twice in the last three years but the former England and Newcastle manager believes Avram Grant's side are favourites this time.

Robson said: "Everyone has been talking about Manchester United and Liverpool and Arsenal. Fair enough, but Chelsea have been chipping away and getting good results. They create very well and maybe have the best and deepest squad."

He added: "Liverpool v Chelsea is a close call but the second leg is at Stamford Bridge this time and that could make the difference.

"At Anfield, Liverpool have just seemed time after time in European matches to have this ability to be able to pull something out of the bag."

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier also rates Chelsea's squad.

He said: "Look at Chelsea's bench against Fenerbahce - it was incredible: Mikel, Anelka, Malouda, Shevchenko and Belletti.

"Perhaps the reason Arsenal lost against Liverpool was because they do not have the same strength in depth."

Meanwhile, Robson insisted the number of foreign players in the Premier League should not be used as an excuse for England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Robson, speaking at the Soccerex London Forum at Wembley Stadium, said: "Our academies have got to work better, we've got to produce better young players and, if we do, we'll be able to compete every two years and the English football team will be at a competitive level again."