THE English Premier League trophy is bound for Stamford Bridge.

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes the Blues are now a stronger side than when he was at the club.

The Israeli coach, who was sacked in May, has backed successor Luiz Felipe Scolari to bring the Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge.

The Israeli was dismissed by the Blues three days after the Champions League final defeat on penalties to Manchester United in Moscow.

World Cup-winning boss Scolari took charge on 1 July and has stabilised the squad after Grant's ill-fated and much-criticised eight-month reign.

Grant now expects the former Portugal and Brazil manager to bring success to Chelsea.

'In the last few months, there have been big changes at Chelsea,' said Grant in the Bangkok Post after giving a lecture to Thailand Premier League representatives in the Thai capital.

'I think they are now better than Manchester United or Arsenal.

'Scolari is a good coach and can bring success to Chelsea.

'Chelsea have a good chance of winning the Premier League.'

Grant led Chelsea to two finals after succeeding Jose Mourinho in September - the Blues lost to Tottenham in the Carling Cup and Manchester United in the European showcase.

Chelsea also finished runners-up to United in the league.

Despite coming close but with no honours to show for, Grant remains steadfast in his belief that he is a good manager.

'When I took over Chelsea after Jose Mourinho was fired, the English press and some Chelsea players did not believe in my ability,' he said.

'But I proved to them in the last two or three months when Chelsea nearly won three competitions.'

But nearly was never enough, as Mourinho scathingly said last month: 'Second is nothing.'

GOOD SIGNS

That may well change this season as Chelsea, under Scholari's tutelage, are determined to reclaim the Premiership title.

The signs are looking good, said Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou.

The Blues have warmed up for the challenge by beating Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals 4-0, Chengdu Blades 7-0, and Malaysia Selection 2-0 during their Asian tour.

Kalou said of Scolari: 'I have a very good impression of him.

'He is a great coach and I enjoy working with him. And I believe we can do something big for Chelsea this year.'

The Blues have moved on to Moscow for the Railway Cup, while Kalou has joined up with the Ivory Coast Olympic team in Hong Kong in preparation for the Beijing Games.

Kalou, 22, will miss the start of the Premier League season as a result, but is confident he will return to Stamford Bridge fully fit for the European club season.

'Playing competitive football will definitely help me for the new season as I am playing at a good level and I feel that when I arrive back in England I will be ready,' Kalou said.

'The Olympics is something I have always wanted to play in.

'It is one of the biggest events of the year and if you see the names of players who are taking part you can see it is very important.

'I am starting to get used to the humidity now and I feel with some more training we will all be ready for the Olympics.'

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