Petit turned down Gunners for Chelsea

Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri believes Emmanuel Petit will make his midfield tick.

Petit returns to the Premier League on Sunday in the home match against Newcastle and he said he is regarded by Ranieri as part of the spine that the Italian wants running through the team.

Petit said: "He wants a leader in each department - Marcel Desailly in defence, me in midfield and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in attack."

Even with such a formidable trio, Petit is in no doubt about the team that every club must try to catch - Manchester United.

The former Arsenal midfielder and French World Cup winner said: "They are the reference point in England. In fact, not only in England but in Europe as well. But you have to remember that United did not build themselves in a fortnight. Other teams must learn from that."

Petit, after emerging unscathed from France's 1-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday, could have been lining up for United against Fulham this weekend. United went for Petit when it became clear his days at Barcelona were numbered but he declined the chance.

"The approach by Chelsea was quick and more determined and the challenge there was more motivating for me. As for Arsenal, I had discussions with the manager, Arsene Wenger, about coming back but I decided it was not a good move to go back to a club where I achieved great things. I hope to write the same stories with Chelsea as I did with Arsenal."

Petit is also aware of the weakness that has plagued Chelsea and prevented the club from mounting a serious championship challenge despite the array of talent.

His captain for club and country - Marcel Desailly - pinpointed the problem earlier this week and Petit did not offer an argument. "The image I had of Chelsea is a lot of talent - we used to struggle to beat Chelsea when I was at Arsenal - but also an inconsistency in terms of results, particularly against smaller teams.

"They were always good against the good teams but lost points against weaker ones," said Petit, who is not afraid of facing the Arsenal fans when Chelsea play his old team next month. "I have had the chance to meet Arsenal fans and they told me I would be welcomed when I came back. There was never any animosity between me and the supporters. They know they have a special place in my heart."

Petit, however, is impressed by his new team-mates. He said: "There are good players who have been injured for a long time like Mario Stanic and Jesper Gronkjaer. Those guys look hungry."

Managing director Colin Hutchinson is optimistic Ranieri will have a good season. He said: 'The time to really judge him is during the coming season. He's had the chance to bring in the players he wanted and he's doing what we wanted of him - to bring the average age of the squad down and to build a team to take us on again.

"Claudio is here for three years and he has said that, within that time, he would like to win the championship. He's done very well and we've had a great pre-season."

Meanwhile Chelsea's Italian midfielder Sam Dalla Bona has been dumped in the reserves until his future is sorted out. The Italian is the subject of a £4 million bid from Inter Milan but has set his heart on joining rivals AC Milan. They are ready to make a bid for Dalla Bona but the offer is unlikely to match that already tabled by Inter.

Mark Bosnich will line-up against Newcastle with Carlo Cudicini still recovering from his knee injury. Full-back Albert Ferrer is injured.

Newcastle, who have not won in London in 17 trips, have a worry over Gary Speed.

Chelsea v Newcastle
2pm, Sunday, Stamford Bridge
Live on Sky Box Office

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