Makelele: We'll rule Europe

Claude Makelele today claimed that Chelsea can win the Champions League.

As new owner Roman Abramovich's team launch their campaign in Prague against Sparta tonight, the competition's player of the season last year is certain Chelsea can follow in the footsteps of his former club Real Madrid.

The £16.6million midfield signing from Spain said: "We have the players to win everything. The manager is trying to build a team and if that happens we have a chance to win the Premiership and the Champions League.

"I would not have left Real Madrid for any club. They are one of the biggest in the world but Chelsea hope to become the biggest. I want to help them do that."

Meanwhile, it is being reported this morning that Chelsea attempted to send Joe Cole out on loan to Spartak Moscow for a year as soon as they signed the midfielder this summer.

Cole, who has yet to start a game for Chelsea, was said to have been stunned by the idea and refused point blank to go to Moscow for 12 months.

If confirmed, the bizarre proposal raises more questions about Chelsea's incredible £110.6m spending spree. Last month the club loaned Russia captain Alexei Smertin to rivals Portsmouth for a year after buying him for £3.5m because he was unlikely to get a game at Stamford Bridge.

On arriving in the Czech Republic, Damien Duff expressed his frustration at manager Claudio Ranieri's rotation policy. He was substituted again last Saturday and the club's £17m record signing said: "I was gutted. It seems to happen every game. I didn't like coming off at half-time against Blackburn either. It was tactical, I suppose. The gaffer likes me but wanted to make a change. What can I do? I'm strong enough now not to let it bother me."