Harry: Spanish sides look fantastic

Published Sep. 12, 2010 1:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp thinks Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid could dominate this season's Champions League.

Redknapp's Spurs, along with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all have eyes on the final which this year will be staged in London with Wembley hosting the biggest club match in world football.

But Redknapp admits that any of the Premier League sides will have their work cut out to get the better of Barca and Real - who have both invested huge amounts in their squads over the summer.

"If an English team won it this year, it would be a real feat because the two Spanish teams look fantastic," said Redknapp.

"With the strength of them this year, if you asked me who the favourites for the competition were, I'd have to say them.

"An English team doing it would be a real achievement but look who they have brought in, it's scary.

"For us it's great experience, something new and different. It's great for the club and the players.

"When they play that music it is fantastic. It's something you always dream of and to be involved in it is brilliant."

Redknapp admits he used to relish the prospect of facing one of the sides who had played in the Champions League, as normally they would play a weakend team - but now he has that issue himself.

"I used to love it when we were on the other side and wanted clubs to stay in the Champions League and UEFA Cup. When you are not in it, you want them there because you know they're going to get knocked about," he told the News of the World.

"You want to play those teams. I always looked at the fixtures and saw, for example, Manchester United or Arsenal and thought that's handy in between a Champions League game because they mess around with their teams and rest players.

"I have got out of trouble before in those situations and so have others who have played a very, very weak team because the manager has rested six or seven of the best players.

"It is so difficult to maintain it on two fronts. We have got a good squad but the league is going to be difficult. Ledley King is either going to play in the league or the Champions League. It is a difficult juggling act.

"That is why you have to give the clubs here who do it every year credit for maintaining a top four finish - and that is what you have to aim to do."