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.