Chelsea are ready to make a controversial approach to Manchester City boss Sven Goran Eriksson.

The Daily Express says the former England manager, whom Roman Abramovich tried to capture so publicly in 2004, is high on the list of candidates who will be asked to step in if Avram Grant's tenure is unsuccessful. Several of Chelsea's leading players have been told not to panic over their futures because a big name manager will eventually be coming in.

Marco van Basten was also in the stands at Old Trafford yesterday.