LONDON - Avram Grant returns to Portsmouth for the first time as manager of Chelsea on Saturday determined to set a new club record of 10 straight wins in all competitions.
The former Pompey director of football left the south coast club last summer to take up a similar role at Stamford Bridge.
But the 52-year-old Israeli was handed the managerial reigns at his new club in September when Jose Mourinho was axed.
Grant is full of praise for the work of Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, who strengthened his attack with the £7million signing of Tottenham's Jermain Defoe on deadline day - but is also looking forward to his return to Fratton Park.
He said ahead of the Premier League clash: "I was there at the beginning of the year and I wonderful time there.
"I enjoyed every minute of it. I like the club and the city and it will be exciting to go back as a manager.
"Harry has made huge progress at Portsmouth. We know how Portsmouth was before and now they are a legitimate team in the top of the table. He is a great manager and there are great people as well.
"I know that Harry wanted to bring in Defoe last year. He is a big fan of his and likes him very much. When a manager can sign his favourite players it is good for him."
Chelsea remain the only team in the hunt for all four major trophies and Grant is understandably proud of his team's achievements - including being on the threshold of a club record.
Grant added: "On paper we can win all four competitions. We are happy we are involved in all of them but I know it will be almost impossible to do it.
"But in this case we live from game to game and try to win as much as possible. Nobody believed we would equal the record but we have a good squad and very good staff.
"At the moment we share the record, but if we break it, we will be more happy."
England midfielder Frank Lampard is set to boost Grant's squad if he emerges unscathed from a late fitness test on the thigh problem which has kept him out since Boxing Day.
Lampard has been training with the squad this week and is likely to be involved at some stage against Pompey.
But unlike his predecessor, Grant does not believe in having 'untouchables' in his side and insists Lampard will have to fight for his place like everyone else.
"Every player needs to prove himself," explained Grant. "A player always fights for his place all the time.
"Jose thought there were untouchables but that was his opinion and he was the manager before.
"I told you when I came here there are no two managers all over the world who are the same. I have a different opinion."
Grant has been pre-occupied by the club's progress during a month when he has lost four of his first-team stars to the African Nations Cup and three others to injury.
But the Champions League gets under way again later this month and Grant has been forced to leave two players out of the squad for the knockout stages due to the reduction in numbers allowed.
It is believed that Claudio Pizarro and Steve Sidwell will be the unlucky pair although Michael Ballack, left out of the squad for the group stages, is back in.
"I don't understand this rule," said Grant. "If we have a squad, we have a squad. Why change it for the Champions League? But a rule is a rule and we respect it even if I don't agree with it.
"We had to leave out one or two players who were involved last time. I don't like the rule or that I don't have all the squad. But this is the situation. I don't agree with the reasons."
