First test for new Chelsea

By Andrew Haslam

The UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie between Chelsea FC and MŠK Žilina offers a sharp contrast between the two sides of the European football coin.

Heavy investment
Since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea earlier this summer, the London-based Premiership club have spent over €83m on six new players, with Romanian forward Adrian Mutu set to increase that figure by €22.5m should he be allocated a work permit and complete his transfer from Parma AC.

Rising stars
Coach Claudio Ranieri has mainly bought young, promising talents, signing Glen Johnson and Joe Cole from West Ham United FC for €8.5m and €9.4m respectively. Cole is joined at Stamford Bridge by fellow England international Wayne Bridge, with the left-back moving from Southampton FC for a €10m fee.

International talents
Chelsea's midfield has been further strengthened by the €9.8m capture of Real Madrid CF's Cameroonian international Geremi, who has Premiership experience after a loan spell at Middlesbrough FC last season. More international quality comes in the shape of Argentinian playmaker Juan Sebastián Verón, who arrived from Manchester United FC for €21.35m, and Damien Duff, whose dribbling skills illuminated the Republic of Ireland's 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign. Duff became Chelsea's record buy after signing for €24.2m from Blackburn Rovers FC.

Ranieri cautious
Yet despite the club's impressive outlay, Ranieri is telling fans not to expect instant success. The Italian has also warned against complacency and reminded his players that Chelsea have failed to reach the second round of the UEFA Cup in each of the last three seasons, losing to FC St. Gallen, Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC and Viking FK.

'Fresh start'
"I remember those defeats but now everything has changed," said Ranieri. "I've been building since my first match but this is a new Chelsea. The old Chelsea could maybe have signed one or two new players but now it's new for everyone. For all my players, and for me, it's a new Chelsea. This is the beginning of our season and it's important to start well. Our credibility is very important."

Contrasting clubs
In terms of spending power, Chelsea are in a different league to their opponents Zilina, Slovakian champions for the last two years. Zilina coach Karol Belanik admitted the disparity between the clubs ahead of Wednesday's first leg, which will be played at the 6,214-capacity Mestsky Sportovy stadium. "The last time I saw Chelsea live was against Newcastle United [FC] last October and at that time I could not imagine either coaching Žilina, or playing against this English side," said Belanik.

'Too many changes'
Nevertheless, the Žilina coach believes the sudden influx of players may work against Ranieri and company. "Since Abramovich took over, Chelsea have made a lot of changes – perhaps too many," he said. "The new players may improve the team, but such a different side may be a disadvantage as well."

Impressive form
However, Belanik knows that Žilina will have to be at their very best, and hopes his side can continue the form they showed in a 2-2 league draw against AŠK Inter Bratislava at the weekend. "We played well for 70 minutes but didn't have a lot of luck," he said. "Our players showed some nice touches and we dominated the game apart from the final 20 minutes. The game finished in a draw. The same result against Chelsea will be great success for Žilina and for Slovakian football."