Avram Grant says there are no longer any "untouchables" at Chelsea and only those who perform well are guaranteed a place in his side, dismissing Jose Mourinho's policy of picking certain players regardless of form.
Mourinho said nine players - Michael Essien, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech - were "untouchable" and would always play for him if fit.
His successor, who leads the side into the League Cup against Leicester City tonight, has made it clear that no such group exists at the club now.
"I only know about the movie Untouchables, it is a great movie, I saw it three times," he said. "The only people who are guaranteed a place here are those who play good."
Grant, though, said that he will rotate his squad in order to keep them fresh for all four competitions they are playing in. That will mean more time away from the pitch for Shaun Wright-Phillips who has not taken part in Chelsea's last two matches, the 2-0 Champions League win against Schalke and the 6-0 thrashing of Manchester City.
Wright-Phillips had become a regular under Mourinho and the England winger was deeply upset at losing his place.
"What is important is Shaun Wright-Phillips attitude on and off the pitch," said Grant. "I want him to be happy, but I don't think I can make everyone happy.
"I can't make everyone happy unless I play with one team in the first half and a different one in the second. All the players knew before they signed that Chelsea has a big squad and that they will not play all the time.
"But we pay their wages and we want them to make a contribution to the team. If there is a problem players now know that they can knock on my door and we will try and find a solution."
Grant refused to say if Wright-Phillips will appear in the match against Leicester at Stamford Bridge tonight. There will be changes, however, with Carlo Cudicini expected to replace Cech in goal.
Grant, as Mourinho did, is taking the competition seriously and is aiming to make it the first trophy success of his managerial career at Chelsea.
He said: "I play each game to win. We will give 100 per cent in each competition."
Having scored on Saturday, Andriy Shevchenko could start again tonight as Grant tries to build the confidence of a player who, despite signing for €43 million, was not deemed good enough to be one of Mourinho's untouchables.
"Andriy has a great attitude," Grant said. "He played a good 20 minutes against Man City and will do so again in the future."
Leicester's midfielder James Wesolowski and forward Iain Hume face fitness tests after picking up knocks against Barnsley at the weekend. Stephen Clemence has a hamstring injury and on-loan striker Collins John is cup-tied.
