Becks can make Madrid the real kings of Europe

England coach Sven Goran Eriksson reckons megabuck-spending clubs won't make a big impact on the Champions League.

Although Chelsea are nudging closer to investing £100million in players since Roman Abramovich became the London outfit's new owner, Eriksson believes the teams who made the biggest impact last season will again dominate in Europe.

And the Swede's money is on David Beckham's Real Madrid to be European champions for a record 10th time.

He said: "I see a battle between Italian, Spanish and English teams, I see AC Milan, Juve and Inter, as well as Manchester United, as contenders. But for me the favourites are Real Madrid."

"It's hard to see them exiting the Champions League before the semi-final stages."

"They have the mentality and the strength to tackle the European games at their peak."

Eriksson is also confident Beckham will shine in his first season with the Spanish giants, despite the added pressures which come with playing in a new country following his transfer from Manchester United this summer.

The England captain struggled in the Super Cup first leg defeat to Mallorca on Sunday and he has been criticised by the Spanish press for the two games he has played in Spain so far.

But Eriksson said: "Beckham is very intelligent, he knows how to deal with the super pressures."

Meanwhile, the England boss believes that Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved should win the Golden Ball award this year as a reward for his performances since joining Juventus.

Rather than England stars Beckham or Michael Owen, Eriksson has promised his backing to the player who was a member of his Serie A-winning Lazio team three years ago.

He said: "Pavel is really exceptional."

"Today in the world there are few players like him, he deserves the Golden Ball."

Nedved has won three Serie A titles in the past four seasons, firstly with Lazio in 2000 and then in 2002 and 2003 with Juventus, with whom he was a driving force last season.

The Golden Ball award is voted for by a panel of soccer experts assigned to the task by France Football magazine and awarded in December.

And 55-year-old Eriksson has never lost his admiration for the Italian game, despite devoting the past two and a half years to England's cause.

Of Serie A, he said: "For me, it remains the most fascinating and difficult tournament of them all."