Mutu: My right is good as well

Mutu was just pleased to get through the game after a hectic week when he had to catch five planes to reach Donetsk for Romania's 2-0 win over Ukraine, in which he scored both goals.

On Saturday he also had to negotiate a nasty gash on his right hand for which he required nine stitches and is still being treated. The wound has failed to dim his enthusiasm.

He said: "My goal was a great start but that's not the most important thing. The style is not important and I'm just pleased it went in. My father is a mathematician so I obviously inherited his sense of angles!

" The style and beauty of the goal is not as important as the weight of the three points. If it hits the back of the net it's good enough. I hope it's a good omen and I want to carry on in this way.

"I was delighted that the crowd took to me straight away. I was running on empty but they gave me wings! I love my tricks and flicks and like to entertain the crowd. Fans in England appreciate these fine touches as there are not many players around who can play like that. My arm was quite badly gashed but the Premiership's not bad if you can take the knocks. I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of space I found. In the future I may be marked more closely, but I should still be able to create gaps for others and allow them to play."

Mutu, much like his new strike partner Hernan Crespo, is wary of comparing himself to Zola, but aspires to matching the standards he set. Although Joe Cole can showboat with the best of them on the training ground, he has yet to prove himself on the pitch, and Mutu is Claudio Ranieri's best bet as a deeplying striker.

He said: "Zola was a great player for Chelsea and cannot really be replaced. He was a unique personality and I can only try and raise my game to his level. I don't see myself purely as a forward. I like to operate as a second striker, linking play from the midfield. I bring something different. Many English strikers are all about power but my game is based on speed and fantasy. I am a Latin player and love to have the ball at my feet so I can go past defenders."

Mutu hopes that, like Zola, his career will come to be defined by his achievements at Chelsea. Having scored a goal-a-game in his first season at Dinamo Bucharest, he reaffirmed his credentials with 18 goals in Serie A over the past two years and is ready to take the Premiership by storm. After spells with Inter, Verona and Parma Mutu believes that Chelsea can help him become recognised as one of the world's top striker.

He said: "For a player who wants to make a name for himself in the international arena this is the only club.

"When Roman Abramovich took over I heard he wanted to put together a very competitive team. To make his new club the best in Europe.

"I'm very happy as this is a very important moment in my life. This is a big moment in my career and I hope to perform well for many years to come."

But with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Juan Veron, Geremi, Cole and Damien Duff patrolling the penalty area, will he still be taking free-kicks?

Mutu said: "We decide who takes them on the field when it comes to it. We're all mature and accomplished professionals and make an ad-hoc decision. Whoever feels best suited takes it."

If nothing else, Mutu has established the right to put his right foot forward.