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Cech: City egos must be checked

Petr Cech believes Chelsea can challenge for the title this season © PA Photos

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Petr Cech has warned Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini he must restrain egos in the dressing room if the champions are to have any chance of defending their Premier League title.

City won the title on a dramatic final day of the season, pipping rivals Manchester United on goal difference. Chelsea failed to finish in the top four, but qualify for the Champions League as holders, and are determined to launch a title challenge under manager Roberto Di Matteo.

Mancini has not yet added to his squad this summer, but Cech believes the Italian already has his hands full keeping the likes of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli under control.

"It is in their hands how they manage to solve the problem of the huge players in the same squad so it is up to them," Cech told Sky Sports News. "If they manage to get all those egos under their belt and control everybody then they will be the biggest rivals to win the title, together with Man United.

"You try to compete with everybody, no matter what squad they have. We have beaten them, we can do it again."

Chelsea have brought in Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, while the club have been linked with the highly-rated Brazilian Oscar.

Former manager Andre Villas-Boas' departure was linked with unrest in the dressing room, but while Cech acknowledges the difficulties of keeping everybody happy, he believes the fact that the new signings have settled in quickly shows unity at the club.

"To be fair we have great players here and everybody wants to play so this is always a big part of the big club," he said. "So far we have a good atmosphere at the training ground. People are settling in and it seems to be going smoothly so I hope the pre-season will continue to be like that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.