Chelsea infused with ‘new steel’, says Bates

CHELSEA chairman Ken Bates insisted the Blues had developed a new steel in their side as he vowed they would not be intimidated by opponents this season.

Chelsea have long suffered criticism of a lack of backbone at times during games, with many players having bristled at the tag of being seen by some as a soft touch.

While Blues’ boss Claudio Ranieri has tightened up the side defensively, it will not be until they consistently beat teams which attempt to hustle them out of their stride that they will relinquish the tag.

However, Bates believes the transformation is already under way, with the team having recovered from 2-0 down to beat Charlton 3-2 in the opening game of the Premiership season last weekend.

After all, Charlton had previously beaten Chelsea home and away in each of the past two Premiership seasons. The Chelsea chairman said: ‘‘I can detect a new steel in our players. We’re not a dirty team, but this year we will not be intimidated and we will look after ourselves.

‘‘We just want to play football and we hope the other teams want to do the same.’’

Bates reaffirmed his faith in Ranieri’s ability to bring players through the youth system, believing the club can now also answer the charge of failing to develop enough home players.

John Terry and Jody Morris are both youth team products, and Carlton Cole, Joe Keenan, Robert Huth and Felipe Oliveira are now all set to make their mark, especially with free transfer Enrique de Lucas being the only summer signing at Stamford Bridge.

‘‘It’s been well documented that former Chelsea boss Luca Vialli had to go as he’d lost the dressing-room but that’s history,” said Bates.

‘‘Claudio Ranieri has a proven record of taking on clubs, building up young teams and being successful. The Valencia team was built by him.

‘‘He has blooded Terry, Carlo Cudicini, Cole, Oliveira, Keenan and Huth, and it’s very encouraging. This is also a tribute to the backroom staff and scouts.

‘‘It’s not so long ago that we were being slagged off for buying foreign mercenaries and not giving the kids a chance. Now we’re giving the kids a chance, we’re being slagged off for not buying any players. You can’t win.’’

Cole, 18, is already making a huge impression at Stamford Bridge, having been tipped for full international honours by Bates at the end of last season.

Ranieri, who saw the striker - whom he calls his lion - score the equaliser against Charlton, warned: ‘‘Carlton Cole is a very good young player but it is very important for him to keep his feet on the ground.’’

The Chelsea boss also revealed that although Albert Ferrer had started the season at right-back, he is set to reintroduce Mario Melchiot in the near future when his fitness levels improve.