Cool Avram a real tonic, says Melchiot

Wigan defender Melchiot lists winning the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2000 as one of his career highlights.

And 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 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.'

The Holland defender accepts Wigan face a difficult task in causing an upset, especially with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech in such fine form.

The Czech kept Everton at bay in midweek as Chelsea booked a Carling Cup Final place.

Melchiot said: 'What Petr did for them was special. When you carry a team like that you make a difference.

'Everton had so many opportunities and he saved well and made a big difference to the tie.'

One last shot at the FA Cup is something Melchiot still dreams of, despite the fact it may hit Wigan's chances of staying in the Premier League.

And the Dutchman admits to being bitten by the cup bug in England. He said: 'When I went to Chelsea they had won it before so I could see how crazy the people were in the stadium about cup matches.

'It made me feel it was equal to the title and for me it was unbelievable. When I was in Holland with Ajax, we won the title and it was a big thing.

'When we won the cup it was big, but nowhere near as big as the title.'

Chelsea yesterday signed Argentine teenage striker Franco Di Santo on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Audax Italiano in Chile.

Chelsea reportedly agreed a deal worth more than £3million for the 6ft 4in Under 20 international who holds an Italian passport, seeing off competition from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.

Di Santo's deal came on the day Chelsea unveiled new Serb signing Branislav Ivanovic, the former Lokomotiv Moscow player, who can play anywhere in defence or midfield.

He said: 'When I got the offer from Chelsea it was like a dream. I never thought or planned about any other team. I'm glad I'm here. I'm sure they will see the best of me.'