Determined Desailly eyes title

The inspirational defender has won almost everything in a distinguished career at Marseille and Milan, but the Premiership title has eluded him in his four years at Stamford Bridge.

Desailly is keen to erase the heartache of France's World Cup failure by achieving success with Chelsea this year.

"We are more concentrated on trying to win the championship," Desailly told Chelsea's official magazine.

"I remember when I signed four years ago, I said that I definitely wanted to win the Premier League. Now four seasons have gone and there is still no title.

"For me, it's the first one. Even if Chelsea were playing in the Champions League, I would fight more to win the Premier League.

"Now it's the only thing I don't have and I really want it before I stop.

"For the fans, it would be the first time since 1955 that they had won the league and it would be really great."

Chelsea have failed to fulfil their undoubted potential in the last couple of seasons, but Desailly is confident that they can overcome their problems of the past to sustain a serious championship challenge.

"Sometimes, unconsciously I think, we're not all ready at the same moment to share the same spirit," said Desailly.

"It's why we sometimes lose games we should win. But the spirit improves all the time.

"It's something the manager has worked on. It's why Ken Bates has signed him for so many more years because he can see the way Claudio Ranieri works at trying to bring that spirit.

"We know that we have enough quality to be strong enough and to be at the right level.

"Now I'm just expecting that the beginning of next season will go well for us because that will set the tone for the rest of the season."