Wigan Athletic captain Mario Melchiot has heaped praise on Chelsea boss Avram Grant.

Although he will be trying to end the Londoners' FA Cup run today, he admires the clever way the Israeli manager's deliberately lower profile has helped cut down potential off-field distractions for his players.

That was never the case in Jose Mourinho's day, when Chelsea were rarely out of the headlines as the Portuguese strutted and sulked in equal manner.

Melchiot said: "When I look at the situation and all the things that went on around Jose Mourinho, it was a bit hectic and a bit crazy.

"That's why it didn't surprise me that the people who took over tried to calm things down and work away from the spotlight. That will have helped the players because it's probably more relaxed around the club and they can play football."

Melchiot says Chelsea are beyond their transitional period and can eye a quartet of trophies with confidence again.

He added: "They started slowly under Avram Grant but things are turning around and people can see that now. You can't turn things around quickly, especially when a new manager comes in.

"That is something we're going through, too, at Wigan with Steve Bruce, and it's probably why it's easy for me to judge what's going on because I'm in the same situation here."