http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3253006.stm
Exclusive by Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
Pat Nevin claims Chelsea's joy at topping the Premiership table is mixed
with a sense of disbelief at the scale of Roman Abramovich's revolution - but
feels the best is yet to come.
Former Chelsea star Nevin believes Claudio Ranieri, powered by Abramovich's
chequebook, has put his club in position to seriously contemplate their first
title triumph since 1955.
And after the 1-0 win against Manchester United confirmed their
championship credentials, Nevin suggests the dreamland of a Champions League
triumph is not out of reach either.
Nevin told this website: "As former player I think it's brilliant, and I'm
really happy for the fans because I've always had a great relationship with
them and spend a fair bit of time down there working.
"The supporters are ecstatic - but I think disbelief is probably a better
word after the speed of events since Abramovich's arrival.
"The club's always had a certain image and a certain way of doing things
and not quite getting there, apart from decent cup successes.
"They've always been good to watch, but suddenly they are the real deal -
and not just the real Premiership deal but the real European deal as well."
Nevin added: "It is not laughable to suggest the Champions League is a
possibility as well, and this is quite a thing for the club's fans to get
their heads around.
"One of the most interesting things about it is how the players who were
there before Roman Abramovich arrived have pushed their game on.
"Someone like Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who you might think would fly into
a huff at not being in the team, has actually improved his performances this
season.
"This is the answer to why world-class players are on the bench and not
complaining. When good professionals see something special happening they want
to be part of it.
"You saw that when Manchester United won the Champions League. The whole
squad was delighted because they were part of a winning team and did not want
to take a step down."
And Nevin points to the quality of Chelsea's signings as an indicator of
how they must be taken seriously by Europe's elite.
He told BBC Sport: "Ranieri brought in Juan Sebastian Veron and Damien Duff
and you thought that was very good - talented players.
"But you realised this was the real deal was when Claude Makalele arrived.
Ranieri held out for him and was right to do so.
"People can do the holding job he does - but few do it as well as Makalele.
"This, in a football sense, was when you knew this was real. In a world
sense, I believe the big signing was Adrian Mutu - that was when you knew
Chelsea were right in at the top end of the market.
"In every position in the side, you know they have cover - although the
word 'cover' is almost an insult. They are world class players who can also
play in that position."
Nevin is also a huge admirer of Ranieri, who has had to deal with the
unique pressure of managing expectations and also the constant speculation
linking England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson with his job.
He said: "I think he is dealing with everything incredibly well. It would
be very hard to replace a manager who won the Premiership or the Champions
League.
"There is pressure at every level of management and he is dealing with the
pressure of being on top. I'm sure he'd rather have that pressure - there are
worse places to be let me tell you."
And in an optimistic message for Chelsea's fans he said: "I really think
they are capable of a serious challenge in the Premiership and the Champions
League.
"I'm not saying they will, but they are capable of both. It may be a bit
early and next year might be a better opportunity, but who knows?
"I think they will strengthen further - I think they will sign very big
again when the transfer window opens again in January, which is a bit scary
for the opposition."
And he said: "It has been quite a transformation, but I do think this is
the real deal at Chelsea."
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