Melchiot poised for challenge

By Richard Sullivan

Chelsea FC defender Mario Melchiot knows that his side's amazing summer spending spree is no guarantee of success in this season's UEFA Champions League.

Welcome return
The wealthy London side - funded by billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich - make their return to the competition in Prague on Tuesday after a four-year absence, boasting ten big-name signings including the likes of Hernán Crespo, Adrian Mutu, Juan Sebastián Verón and Claude Makelele.

Crazy hopes
But, despite being tipped by many as potential finalist, Melchiot is taking a more realistic approach. "This is the best club tournament in the world and you have to understand that it is very, very hard to win," Melchiot told uefa.com. "At the end of last season we were just happy to qualify for the Champions League, so to talk about winning it seems crazy!

Talented squad
"It is fantastic to have assembled such a great squad of players at Chelsea and as players we're all enjoying being part of it, but that won't mean automatic success," added the Dutchman. "With so many new players we are still learning to play together as a team, so we can't expect it all to fall into place straight away."

Big upsets
Since losing to FC Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2000, Chelsea have endured a torrid time in Europe. In the past three years, FC St. Gallen, Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC and Viking FK have all knocked Chelsea out of the UEFA Cup in the early stages, but Melchiot is certain that past mistakes will not be repeated by the new-look Chelsea.

Focussing hard
He said: "We have always been the sort of team that plays better against the big teams, but have slipped up against sides we should beat. In Europe we had three bad years in that respect, but the Champions League is different because there aren't any so-called small teams. If we're not concentrating we'll be punished and that will focus our minds.

Crucial experience
"When you look at our squad now it is packed with European experience," he added. "We have winners all over the pitch and hundreds of international and Champions League appearances between us, and that has got to help."

Good start
Chelsea have made an impressive unbeaten start to their campaign in England, and warmed up for Tuesday's visit to AC Sparta Praha's Letná stadium, with an excellent 4-2 win at home against Tottenham Hotspur FC at the weekend, with Romanian forward Mutu scoring twice.

Off form
In contrast, Czech champions Sparta have made an inauspicious start to their defence of the title, with a 2-0 defeat to rivals FC Slovan Liberec on Saturday leaving them floundering in seventh position in the league. Melchiot however is unconcerned about current form ahead of this crucial opening Group G meeting.

Away test
"The Champions League is like a season within a season and it's exciting to start afresh," he said. "It's a tricky start for us because Sparta are a team that normally does well at home. The Czech national team have shown how good they are in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2004™ so we must not underestimate our opponents on Tuesday.

Amazing competition
"Hopefully, the senior players here can draw on their own past individual Champions League experiences to help Chelsea progress this season," he added. "I remember playing for AFC Ajax in this competition as a kid and it was amazing, and I'm sure that all of our players, young or old, will improve as a result of competing against the very best sides in Europe this year."