Nicolas Anelka claims Carlo Ancelotti's impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge has given Chelsea the confidence to compete on all fronts this season.
The Blues will continue their Champions League campaign with a trip to Cyprus on Wednesday to face Apoel Nicosia, the minnows who will be hosting their first ever game in Europe's top club competition.
Chelsea have won six out of their opening seven Barclays Premier League games of the season, and also triumphed in their opening Champions League match against FC Porto - results Anelka claims are testament to their manager's ability to quickly adapt to life in England.
"I think he is very good, even though he is new to this country, he didn't know much about English football, but I think he is doing great," Anelka told the club's website.
"It is not easy for a new manager if you don't know about England, it was difficult for him to come in but he has won the games. And off the pitch he speaks a lot with the players, so it is good for us as well."
After a turbulent time at the Bridge last season, Ancelotti has managed to restore order and has hit the ground running.
While there are still significant off-the-field issues, not least the imposition of a transfer ban by FIFA, Chelsea are delivering where it matters most and have already built up significant momentum as the games start to come thick and fast.
"We won at lot of games in pre-season and in the beginning of the season we are winning the games, it is important we had got off to a good start," Anelka said.
"We are confident, we have a good team and players and we know what we want to do in the games and how to win them."
"We have the mentality, we are stronger in our heads because we are winning games and we know the coach has won a lot of trophies."
On paper, Wednesday's match should provide Chelsea with a straightforward opportunity to add to their list of victories this season, but they will have to be careful not to overlook Apoel.
The Cypriots collected a point from a creditable goalless draw at Atletico Madrid in the opening round - a result that is as much to do with their own performance as it is the Spaniards' poor start to the season.
With emotions likely to be running high for the first ever Champions League match at the Neo GSP Stadium, Chelsea will need to be wary of slipping on a banana skin.
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