Many are called, few are chosen

It is not just the calibre of the starting eleven that makes Chelsea FC such an awesome proposition for opponents. The array of talent sitting on the bench and capable of turning a match at a moment's notice is equally formidable.

Frustrating position
But for every positive there is invariably a negative, and for the players who are not among the manager's chosen few - and who sometimes even find themselves ousted in the fight for the replacement jerseys - it can be a frustrating existence on the periphery of things at Stamford Bridge.

Cole rumours
Inevitably the situation will place a strain on Mourinho's relationships with his players. Ricardo Carvalho found himself disciplined after publicly querying his omission from the team in the early part of the season. And after Chelsea began the new UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-0 defeat of RSC Anderlecht, there were reports that Joe Cole - good enough to start with England but not with his club - was growing impatient and looking for a move.

Pecking order
For players like Geremi and Robert Huth, further down the rankings in the fight for first-team football than either Cole or Carvalho, the situation is even more difficult. However both players have recently stated they are not unhappy and are not looking to leave the club.

Exalted company
Geremi said the upside of his present predicament was that he was at a club surrounded by outstanding talent. "Chelsea are a great team with great players and I like to play for such a great team," he told uefa.com. "When they signed new players in the summer I was happy because they were going to be my team-mates. Of course when you are ambitious you want to play every week but you know that Chelsea have a big squad so you just have to be patient.

Patience essential
"When the season finished I had a word with the manager about my situation and he gave me all the confidence I needed," he added. "I could go on holiday with my mind free and I came back ready to fight for my place. That's all you can do really, be patient and be ready to take your chance when it arrives."

'Very frustrating'
For 21-year-old central defender Huth, the situation is more acute. With his nation hosting the FIFA World Cup next summer, he knows first-team football will be vital to secure a slot in the Germany squad. "Obviously it's very frustrating and you want to play every game," Huth told uefa.com. "It's the same as in any job, you want to be the best you can possibly be, but it does not always happen.

Long view
"The World Cup is important but I can't make my life dependant on it," he added. "It is out of my hands whether I am selected or not but if it does not happen this time there will be another World Cup in four years time and another one after that. I have to take a long-term view and I am happy to stay at Chelsea."

Persistent effort
"It is vital for any player to play every week but you just have to keep working and hopefully you'll get a chance," concluded the German. "Hopefully after that things will change in your favour."