SAYS CHRIS SUTTON
"I might of cost £10 Million- but i'm not in the same league as Gianfranco Zola" .
The modest striker has found himself re-defining his goals since joining Vialli's gifted band of entertainers from Blackburn-, and holding down a reglar place in the side is'nt top priority in his life.
Sutton's aim is to simply take his craft to a new level at Stamford Bridge - and he reckons he cant fail, playing among some of the most talented stars on Planet Football.
In parallel with his current challenge at Chelsea , Sutton was forced to adopt a watching brief in Warsaw last week as a member of Kevin Keegan's Euro 2000England qualifying squad.
His England chance is not certain to come-but if it does he knows that even a few short weeks amid Chelsea's cosmopolitan showmen have already turned him into a better player than the one that recently left Blackburn.
And as he stood in the shadows of Poland's Army Stadium, Suttons delight at returning from England duty to continue his soccer education at Chelsea rather than Ewood Park was plain to see.
With the prospect of a glamour clash with AC Milan in the Champions League looming large Sutton declared "If I dont become a better player by being at Chelsea then I dont know where I will improve"
"This club has outstanding players throughout the squad and that can only be good for my football development.
In my view I could'nt be at a better place and now its up to me to learn"
"Technically the Chelsea players are all tremendous and they have so much skill and natural ability .
"They are all internationals and guys like Marcel Desailly and the boss have won everything in the game."
"That puts me in with some big company but I am happy about that - I know it will help me in the long run."
"I know I cost £10 Million and for that money you might expect me to be the finished article but you should see me next to Zola in training then you would'nt say that! I know he is a different type of player to me but he is World Class".
Chelsea will need every one of Vialli's high-profile stars to hit peak levels this week when Milan-complete with a dream strike force of Andi Shevchenco and Oliver Bierhoff- arrive in town for Chelsea's first Champions League match.
And Sutton, more than most understands the the bitter taste of failure that will engulf the club if Chelsea under-achieve against the slick Italians.
Suttons previous Champions League expirience is heavily tainted by regret after Blackburn bombed in spectacular style on the big European stage the season after winning the Premiership in 1995.
Suttons appreciation for Blackburn who paid Norwich City £5 Million to link him with Alan Shearer restrains him from being to harsh on his old club, but it is clear that he would of stagnated if he remained at Rovers.
"Chelsea play so much differently to Blackburn explained Sutton "Rovers play the long ball - the route one game, Chelsea's way is to pass the ball and I'm still learning about the way they play.
"This has been a good move for me and I'm getting more use to things at Stamford Bridge as the weeks go by."
In many ways I was sad to leave Blackburn because I did like it up there , it was just circumstances thet led to me leaving but I hope Rovers do well , I enjoyed my time up there.
"London's different and even though i'm not always in the starting line-up at Chelsea this season is a great new challenge for me.
"When I joined and spoke with Gianluca , I understood that he likes to rotate us , Its a big strong squad and it's something you have to accept"
"It's not a case that you are being dropped , its merely that the manager is rotating the players to keep them fresh"
"Thats the same policy used at Manchester United to stunning effect last season when Sir Alec Ferguson guided them to the Treble.
So Sutton's not going to fight it even if sometimes it claims him as the victim.
And Its a tactic that could help Chelsea depose United as Premiership Champions this season.
"I think we have the players here to really give Manchester United a run for their money this time"
"The players are confident about doing that but they already a few points ahead of us even though we have a couple of games in hand and that means the pressure's on not to waste that advantage and catch them up".
First though come AC Milan - and another step on Sutton's learning ladder
STEVE BATES
SUNDAY PEOPLE