New start for Chelsea

Under coach Avram Grant, the London-based team is again starting to gain confidence

LONDON: Chelsea have long revelled in their reputation for substance over style, but Avram Grant’s appointment as the club’s head coach has ushered in a new era in more ways than one.

The Israeli’s mission statement from owner Roman Abramovich is to build a team of great entertainers and, slowly but surely, Chelsea’s philosophy is changing.

Four consecutive victories, with a goals record of seven scored and two conceded, have been secured with a dash of panache and supporters who had previously harboured reservations over Grant’s appointment are beginning to sleep more easily.

Saturday’s clash with the Premier League’s surprise package, Manchester City, will provide another stern test of their new-found credentials but confidence which had been sapped by Jose Mourinho’s abrupt departure last month is being restored.

“It’s a different style — we are going for more expansive play,” Joe Cole said. “There are definite changes and although it is difficult when a new manager comes in with a new style, you’ve got to adjust. But we’re picking up points at the minute and everyone’s enjoying winning football matches again.”

Cole is also relishing the prospect of being reunited with Sven-Goran Eriksson, the former England manager. Eriksson, now in charge at City, enjoyed a fluctuating relationship with the midfielder but his initial mistrust eventually gave way to full-blown respect, epitomised by the starring role he handed Cole at 2006 WC.

“I played under Sven for a long time and it took me a while to convince him that I could play,” he added. “But for the last two years of his reign I played more or less all the time. I like Sven. He gets some unfair treatment from the media but he is a great manager and a top bloke and I look forward to seeing him again.”

For Eriksson, the trip to Stamford Bridge will serve as a reminder of what might have been.

The Swede came desperately close to joining the Blues after holding talks with Abramovich at his London flat in 2004 but had a late change of heart and chose to extend his contract with England.

Eriksson is still much admired within the corridors of power at Stamford Bridge - he was pictured with Abramovich during Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United earlier this season - but all thoughts of relocating to west London have long since disappeared.

Instead, the 59-year-old is busying himself with the task of turning his new club into unlikely Champions League qualification contenders.