Before the season began Chelsea were looking to win the Premiership for the credit and do well in Europe for the credit rating.

But poor domestic form has increased the pressure on Gianluca Vialli's side to actually win the Champions League, not for the millions of pounds on offer, but because this could be their only route back into this most lucrative of tournaments next season. That mighty task begins tonight against the Dutch champions Feyenoord.

Vialli reckons that until his side wins the English title "full credibility will elude us", but a sequence of lousy results - two points from the last five games - has undermined that aim for this season, leaving Chelsea ninth in the table, though with the consolation of two games in hand.

So far Vialli's side have struggled to produce against the likes of Derby the performances that earned them a draw at Milan plus three wins and another draw in the first-phase group.

Ken Bates has already let his displeasure be known about that inconsistency as well as the failings of Vialli's rotation system. However, one thing sure to please the chairman is the money so far earned from Chelsea's European run: Stg £2.6 million so far in prize-money, plus gate receipts, television and marketing revenue. A similar series of results in the second group phase leading to qualification for the quarterfinals will earn them around £4.2 million in prize-money, plus the extra income.

But although Chelsea have an extremely expensive squad to justify as well as pay, even that financial bonanza will offer small compensation to Bates unless the team ultimately raise the European Cup or, of course, lift their Premiership form instead. Even playing in the UEFA Cup next season brings comparatively little financial reward.

Typically, Vialli yesterday turned the problem of pressure into a positive. "I like pressure," he said. "It's what makes you work even harder. It's something that gives you that extra bit that is needed if you want to be successful."

The good news for Vialli is that despite having Lazio in the group - Chelsea visit Rome in a fortnight - two go through to the quarter-finals, and the Premiership side have an equal chance of claiming that spot ahead of Feyenoord and Marseille.

"Lazio are definitely the best team in our group," admitted Vialli, "but behind them we all have the same chance of qualifying so it is vital we start with a win."

The manager will also be encouraged by the return of Graham Rix from prison and the fact that Feyenoord, like Chelsea, are also going through a dodgy domestic spell at the moment.

Two of their key defenders, Bert Konterman and Kees van Wonderen, are unsettled and seeking transfers, while Feyenoord's in-form former Newcastle striker Jon Dahl Thomasson is doubtful.

Still, the Dutch are an organised, neat-passing side, unbeaten in their first-phase group, coached by Leo Beenhaker, who should never be underestimated, and possess in the pacy Ivory Coast winger Bonaventure Kalou a player to unsettle any defence.

Chelsea will be reassured by the fact they conceded only three goals in their six first-phase group games, even though they are missing the injured Graeme Le Saux tonight.

With Chris Sutton suspended and Gabriele Ambrosetti injured, forward duties will fall to Tore Andre Flo and the Gianfranco Zola, whose genius for unlocking stubborn defences will be crucial. Dan Petrescu and Gustavo Poyet are likely to be out wide, with Dennis Wise and Didier Deschamps prompting from central midfield.

Chelsea (possible, 4-4-2); De Goey; Ferrer, Desailly, Leboeuf, Babayaro; Petrescu, Deschamps, Wise, Poyet; Zola, Flo.