Ranieri: I've got to start Joe Cole soon

"I know Joe Cole very well now and he has a big future. I believe he is a very good character. He works very hard now. He is a young player but he must be calm. I believe in him and he will have his chance soon.

"Everybody knows I have a rotation system and it will always be that some will play more than others but it is right to continue to make changes until everyone is in good condition."

Ranieri also declared himself satisfied with Veron so far, despite some adverse reaction from a section of the Chelsea fans on Saturday.

Ranieri said: "I know his best position is behind the front players but sometimes it is necessary for him to play elsewhere in the team. On Saturday against Aston Villa, I asked him to play on the right and he did that.

"He's a fantastic player and man because he will play wherever I ask him, even if it is not his best position. There is no doubt he will be a big player for us in the matches to come."

Ranieri revealed he flew to Istanbul on Sunday to watch tomorrow's opponents Besiktas beat Trabzonspor 5-0 in a league match and the Chelsea coach was suitably impressed. He said: "Besiktas have good organisation, good quality and good champions. It will be a good match tomorrow. I watched a tape of their first Champions League match against Lazio which they lost 2-0 and the Lazio goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi was the best player on the pitch.

"That is the only match they have lost so far this season. They have good offensive players and like to play good football but I suspect they will adopt a more cautious approach tomorrow because, if they lose, that could end their Champions League hopes for this season.

"We made a good start in Prague against Sparta but it is important now that we carry things on from there."

Chelsea's only injury doubt for tomorrow night remains Emmanuel Petit, who has a knee injury. Ranieri said: "I don't know about Manu but John Terry is okay. He took a hit from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in training on Friday but he has made a full recovery."

Ranieri, however, denied speculation that he is willing to let teenage German central defender Robert Huth go out on loan. "I want Robert to stay here. I have three central defenders plus Robert and if I decide to change the system and play three at the back, then I will need him."