Ranieri chiselling away to produce a master creation

It no longer appears that the Sword of Damocles hangs over Ranieri and he speaks with warmth about how he accommodates a big squad of superstars when not everybody can feature regularly.

'As a manager I am very happy because I have lots of good players to choose from. But I am also like a father. These boys are like my sons so it is not easy. But I prefer that I have the choice and then to give my reasons.'

His choice tonight would seem to embrace a striking partnership of Mutu and Crespo, which will leave him needing explanations for sixgoal Hasselbaink, and his midfield pairing is likely to be Frank Lampard and Juan

Sebastian Veron, which will not leave Makelele feeling on top of the world.

Lampard was unhappy to miss the Champions League opener in Prague and said: 'I will never take for granted that I will be picked every week, especially with the squad we have now.

'People make a big thing of you missing a game, saying you are dropped, but everyone at Chelsea now understands that, whatever the player's name or calibre, they are going to be rested or changed to suit the system on a regular basis.

'When I was dropped against Sparta, the next couple of matches I really wanted to be on top of my game to show what I could do because I want to play in the Champions League. Every game is special at the moment. There is a lot of focus on Chelsea.'

Ranieri wants players left out tonight and in other matches to understand why. He stressed: 'If you want to win something, it is important you arrive at the last three months of the season with all your players in a good physical condition.

'I look at some big teams who play in the Champions League, and the next weekend they lose or draw. If I can change Marcel Desailly with John Terry or William Gallas, what difference? They have to believe in me. The most important part of my job is not picking the team now but helping those who are left out. They need my support then.' Besiktas coach Mircea Lucescu has written off Chelsea's Champions League chances, and claimed they were a better team last year.

The Romanian said: ' For them it is difficult because they have bought a lot of good players and it is not easy for Ranieri to have a good system.

'They had very good organisation when they played with last year's players. At the moment, Chelsea are living with individual players and some things are not perfect.

'It will be very difficult for them to win the Champions League this year. They can get good experience and the following years will be better.'

The important thing for Chelsea tonight is to consolidate their good start, and no doubt Ranieri won't mind if it is not quite as pleasing to the eye as a Michelangelo creation.