Petit sure Chelsea can mount twin title bid
These days it almost takes two teams to compete successfully in the two major competitions but after a summer spending spree of more than 142m, Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has exactly that luxury.
Against Tottenham on Saturday, Ranieri was able to rest the likes of Wayne Bridge, Juan Sebastian Veron and Hernan Crespo while Claude Makelele started on the bench, and Geremi was suspended for the 4-2 victory. However, Ranieri is likely to make at least five changes for tonight's Champions League Group G clash away to Sparta Prague.
Petit who has played Champions League football for Monaco, Arsenal and Barcelona will be hoping he keeps his place. But whether or not he plays, he believes Chelsea have the strength in depth to establish themselves as a major force on both the domestic and European scenes this season.
"The fact that we have so many players now will make a difference," said Petit. "The way I see it is very simple. From now until I don't know when we are going to play almost every three days. If you want to go as far as possible you have to win every game.
"You don't differentiate because if you put all your energy and hopes in the Premier League you can forget the Champions League, and vice-versa. You concentrate on every game, game after game. You have to find a rhythm."
Two of Petit's rivals for a place in the Chelsea team tonight both think they are worthy of making their Champions League debuts.
Adrian Mutu, who scored twice against Spurs, said: "The players around me here have helped me adapt quickly to football in this country, and I am very happy now to be going into the Champions League. I hope I will be in the team and make a good debut.
"There are players here of true international class, and you can't help but play well in such good company."
Joe Cole said: "I feel I deserve a chance on my performances, and all I can do is keep coming on and playing well. I don't want to be labelled with the supersub tag. I knew Chelsea were going to sign the best players. But I'm confident in my ability I think I can hold down a place here. It's a massive challenge, but I love it.
"Every player here knows that if they have a few bad games they will be out the door and they might not see the first team again for a few months.
"I'm looking forward to the Champions League. It's the start of a new chapter for me a new life. We have some of the best midfielders in the world here now, but I still think I'm worth a place."
Sparta are captained by former Manchester United midfielder Karel Poborsky.
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