New system for Chelsea the old way

The thought of making your Premiership debut at Old Trafford might prompt most managers to follow Marie-Jose Perec's lead and make a beeline for the nearest airport. Not Claudio Ranieri. "It will," says Chelsea's coach, "be a beautiful experience".

And the 48-year-old will not necessarily be crying into his cappuccino if Chelsea fail to pick up three points. "Victory isn't important," he explains. "I want to see how hard my players will play and fight."

Ranieri knows United embody much of what Chelsea have lacked of late: unity, work ethic and fierce determination. Moreover, they boast not just backbone, but the British backbone he wants. True, Alex Ferguson's team let slip a 2-0 lead at West Ham, but it is hard to imagine them giving as supine a performance as Chelsea did in losing 2-0 at home to Leicester.

"In terms of quality we are probably not behind Manchester United," Ranieri says. "But in the spirit and determination of the team we are." The notes he scribbled from his seat in the stand against St Gallen and Leicester presumably read "must try harder".

In that regard, the Italian seems to be succeeding. "We're all inspired by the fact that we have a new manager," says Tore Andre Flo. "Everyone is giving that little bit extra to show what they can do."

Ranieri's pronouncement that he will abandon Gianluca Vialli's rotation policy has also focused a few troubled minds. Some players came to resent the constant changes. Flo, a frequent victim of the old system, says: "I like this idea, so all I have to do is battle for a regular place in the team."

That honour, of course, is open to all. Neil Clement, who left Stamford Bridge for West Bromwich Albion in the summer and remains in contact with Jody Morris and others, explains: "They've been told by the new man they are all on trial."

Which is not to suggest Ranieri is a tyrant. During his time at Valencia he agreed to switch training to the morning so players could see their children after school. Yet his disciplinarian approach is good news by the sound of things, particularly as he arrives from outside the club with a sound reputation.

"They need someone to look up to, whereas Vialli was more like one of the lads," says Nick Crittenden, a young midfielder who left for non-league Yeovil in the close season. "I remember when Glenn Hoddle was there you wouldn't take liberties with him. You had to be in time for training otherwise you were fined.

"But Ruud Gullit wasn't the strictest of managers, and when Vialli took over, a few people started turning up late and things like that. It wasn't a big problem, but he needed to be stricter and let them know who's boss."

Ranieri will do that, if needs be. His commitment to talent rather than reputation was shown at Valencia, where he discarded big-name underachievers and brought on the youngsters such as Claudio Lopez, Gaizka Mendieta and Miguel Angel Angulo.

Mendieta, he recalls, was about to be released; Lopez, bought by Lazio for £17 million sterling this summer, was "said to be no good because he ran too fast and forgot about the ball".

Chelsea have spoken to Celta Vigo about buying their winger Gustavo Lopez.

The clean slate, and the search for an English spine, will go down well with the club's youngsters.

"It was like knocking your head against a brick wall," Crittenden recalls. "You could play well in the reserves but it didn't matter; you had no chance. Mates of mine who are still at the club like Stephen Broad and Jay Richardson have been looking to get away, but that might change now."

Such welcome alterations should not cloud the good work Vialli did. James Edwards, editor of the Chelsea Independent fanzine, says many fans feel cheated by the sacking, and particularly the manner of it.

But he welcomes the arrival of a "proper manager". Of the seven appointed since John Neal stepped down in 1985, only Ian Porterfield had top-level managerial experience, and that with Aberdeen.

"Ranieri needs to quickly identify the players who are getting too old and need to be replaced," Edwards says. "He will also need to confront the elements in the squad who were powerful behind-the-scenes voices before Luca was sacked. And the impression I get is that he's the sort who will not take any nonsense"

Only six weeks ago, when Chelsea beat Manchester United in the Charity Shield, such a build-up to this match seemed impossible. That day saw the Ken Bates-Ferguson medal incident. This week, on Channel 5, the Chelsea chairman described Ferguson as "an exceptionally good manager" and said United have set the benchmark for all to follow.