Soccer-European glory foremost in Chelsea minds

LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) Successive league titles, one League Cup and a Community Shield represent a decent return of owner Roman Abramovich's considerable outlay since the Russian billionaire waltzed into Stamford Bridge three years ago.

Chelsea, bankrolled by Abramovich's seemingly unlimited cash resources, have become the dominant force in the Premier League under coach Jose Mourinho.

Not in Europe though.

After Champions League semi-final appearances in 2003 and 2004, last season's challenge floundered in the last 16, a 3-2 aggregate defeat by Barcelona casting a shadow over the season and leaving Mourinho's side with just domestic bragging rights.

While a securing a hat-trick of Premier League crowns looks a strong probability, claiming European soccer's biggest prize will be top of Mourinho's agenda as he enters his third season in charge.

After another close-season spending spree he has moulded a squad to rival the 'galacticos' era at Real Madrid.

Chelsea forked out a club record fee to bring in striker Andriy Shevchenko from AC Milan. Germany captain Michael Ballack joined from Bayern Munich on a free transfer while England defender Ashley Cole is tipped to move across London before the start of the season.

Mourinho said Chelsea, who have also brought in striker Salomon Kalou and young Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel, were hungry for more success.

''Everyone is waiting for Chelsea to fail. It is a great motivation for us. We have signed new players not because we need them to make us champions,'' he said.

''It is not a question of money for the club or for the players. It is a different kind of mission, a new life challenge.'' Former European Footballer of the Year Shevchenko is the highest scorer in the history of the European Cup with 52 goals, including 33 in the Champions League for Milan.

The Ukraine captain will carry the main goalscoring burden in a side that has profited heavily from Frank Lampard's eye for goal, the England midfielder finishing as Chelsea's top scorer in the last two seasons.

MARKED CHANGE Mourinho's rotation policy and preference for one out-and-out striker supported by the marauding runs of Arjen Robben and Joe Cole have left strikers Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo frustrated figures at times.

Speculation continues to link Drogba with a move away from Stamford Bridge while Crespo finally got his wish to leave granted with a return to Inter Milan. Mourinho, in the wake of winger Damien Duff's departure to Newcastle, admits he finds it tough to keep his squad happy.

In a marked change from previous seasons, the Portuguese coach has trimmed his squad down to around 20 players in a move intended to give his first-team nucleus more games and keep everyone happy.

Captain John Terry has no doubts that Shevchenko and Ballack can help the west London club become champions of Europe.

''We have got backbone of the side and there aren't many weaknesses. We have confidence the team. Everyone here is desperate for the Champions League. We are aware of that and the fans are aware of that,'' he said.

Chelsea open their league title defence against Manchester City on Aug. 20.

REUTERS MS RK0835