RECORD CHELSEA

CHELSEA
Status: Premier League runners-up, Champions League runners-up
Nickname: The Blues
UEFA Ranking: 2nd

GettyImages

Deco

THE RECORD: It seems a little curious that a team who have never claimed the title of European champions are ranked second by UEFA, but Chelsea's level of consistency in this competition means they are up there with the best for this season. A couple of semi-final appearances were backed up by the ultimate near miss in last season's Final as skipper John Terry blew the chance to claim the trophy by missing a vital spot kick in the shoot-out against Manchester United. Now comes the moment to confirm they deserve to be recognised as European champions. COACH'S CORNER: Luiz Felipe Scolari arrives in place of the much-maligned Avram Grant and many experts believe the ambitious change at the top should turn Chelsea into winners once again. Scolari has vowed to use a rotation system as he targets success in all four competitions he is entering this season and his mental approach to the Champions League suggests he will not prioritise. 'Just because Chelsea have not won the big European trophy, we cannot say this is the main target,' he says. 'If I say we focus only on the Champions League, my players will not worry about the rest. Yes, this competition is a big target, but not the ultimate.' THE STAR TURN: Few expected Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba to remain at Chelsea this summer, yet both have committed their immediate future to the club and it is the latter's continued presence that could be decisive. At his best, there are few more powerful or potent strikers in world football than the mighty Drogba and his impressive record of success in the Champions League suggests he relishes the battle against Europe's finest defenders. 'Didier has assured me he is committed to Chelsea and he has always been one of my favourite players,' says Scolari. THE NEW FACE: Deco joins a crowded midfield that will prove timely with Michael Essien's knee injury ruling him out of the entire group stage. The Portuguese maestro may be used in a three-man midfield as a playmaker with two more solid players holding behind. There can be no doubting his quality. 'Chelsea have a big ambition to win the Champions League and my job is to help them do this,' he says. 'I won it with Porto and Barcelona and there can be no better feeling for a player.' THE WILD CARD: Nicolas Anelka missed the crucial penalty in the Final shoot-out against Manchester United in Moscow last year and his desire to prove himself in a Chelsea shirt should see this French enigma turn on the style in this season's Champions League. Anelka reverted to his previous guise as something of a sulking child when he was confined to the bench after making a £15m move to Chelsea in January and he was hardly in the right frame of mind to make an impact when sent into the action as a substitute for the Final back in May. Could this be the year for Anelka to show his class again? YOUNG GUN: John Obi Mikel showed he can be a force in the Chelsea team with some fine performances last season, but he faces a major uphill climb to force his way past Ballack, Lampard and Deco to break into Scolari's plans this time around. It's a challenge the Nigerian should rise to as he has enough ability to find a spot in this Chelsea side as either a starter or valuable squad member. WORD ON THE STREET: Rumours persist that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not as passionate about his West London fantasy football toy as he once was, but Scolari's arrival has brought a level of stability and confidence back to a club that never looked entirely content last season. Whether Abramovich gets the free-flowing football he craves remains to be seen as Scolari is very much like predecessor Jose Mourinho as he places winning trophies ahead of entertainment. VERDICT: Expectations have rarely been higher at Stamford Bridge after their near misses of last season and they have a squad more than strong enough to finally lift the Champions League crown.

CHELSEA
Status: Premier League runners-up, Champions League runners-up
Nickname: The Blues
UEFA Ranking: 2nd

GettyImages

Deco

THE RECORD: It seems a little curious that a team who have never claimed the title of European champions are ranked second by UEFA, but Chelsea's level of consistency in this competition means they are up there with the best for this season. A couple of semi-final appearances were backed up by the ultimate near miss in last season's Final as skipper John Terry blew the chance to claim the trophy by missing a vital spot kick in the shoot-out against Manchester United. Now comes the moment to confirm they deserve to be recognised as European champions. COACH'S CORNER: Luiz Felipe Scolari arrives in place of the much-maligned Avram Grant and many experts believe the ambitious change at the top should turn Chelsea into winners once again. Scolari has vowed to use a rotation system as he targets success in all four competitions he is entering this season and his mental approach to the Champions League suggests he will not prioritise. 'Just because Chelsea have not won the big European trophy, we cannot say this is the main target,' he says. 'If I say we focus only on the Champions League, my players will not worry about the rest. Yes, this competition is a big target, but not the ultimate.' THE STAR TURN: Few expected Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba to remain at Chelsea this summer, yet both have committed their immediate future to the club and it is the latter's continued presence that could be decisive. At his best, there are few more powerful or potent strikers in world football than the mighty Drogba and his impressive record of success in the Champions League suggests he relishes the battle against Europe's finest defenders. 'Didier has assured me he is committed to Chelsea and he has always been one of my favourite players,' says Scolari. THE NEW FACE: Deco joins a crowded midfield that will prove timely with Michael Essien's knee injury ruling him out of the entire group stage. The Portuguese maestro may be used in a three-man midfield as a playmaker with two more solid players holding behind. There can be no doubting his quality. 'Chelsea have a big ambition to win the Champions League and my job is to help them do this,' he says. 'I won it with Porto and Barcelona and there can be no better feeling for a player.' THE WILD CARD: Nicolas Anelka missed the crucial penalty in the Final shoot-out against Manchester United in Moscow last year and his desire to prove himself in a Chelsea shirt should see this French enigma turn on the style in this season's Champions League. Anelka reverted to his previous guise as something of a sulking child when he was confined to the bench after making a £15m move to Chelsea in January and he was hardly in the right frame of mind to make an impact when sent into the action as a substitute for the Final back in May. Could this be the year for Anelka to show his class again? YOUNG GUN: John Obi Mikel showed he can be a force in the Chelsea team with some fine performances last season, but he faces a major uphill climb to force his way past Ballack, Lampard and Deco to break into Scolari's plans this time around. It's a challenge the Nigerian should rise to as he has enough ability to find a spot in this Chelsea side as either a starter or valuable squad member. WORD ON THE STREET: Rumours persist that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not as passionate about his West London fantasy football toy as he once was, but Scolari's arrival has brought a level of stability and confidence back to a club that never looked entirely content last season. Whether Abramovich gets the free-flowing football he craves remains to be seen as Scolari is very much like predecessor Jose Mourinho as he places winning trophies ahead of entertainment. VERDICT: Expectations have rarely been higher at Stamford Bridge after their near misses of last season and they have a squad more than strong enough to finally lift the Champions League crown.