Petit confident of Lampard pairing

Lampard can form a strong partnership with Petit

BBC Sport Online believes Chelsea could mount a title challenge after their summer transfer activity.

Emmanuel Petit claims he and fellow new signing Frank Lampard have the ability to make Chelsea Premiership champions.

The former Arsenal midfielder returned to London in a £7.5m move from Barcelona, opting for Stamford Bridge ahead of Manchester United.

The 30-year-old is yet another high-profile - and high-cost - summer acquisition made by Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, who has already invested £7m in Boudewijn Zenden, £6.2 on William Gallas and £11m on Lampard.

And the French international believes he and Lampard can forge a similar partnership to the one he established so effectively with Patrick Vieira at Highbury.

I think we have a big opportunity to fight for the title

Emmanuel Petit

"I know Frank Lampard from when he was at West Ham and he has great qualities and I think we can make a great partnership on the pitch," said Petit.

He revealed the passion of English football was one of the main factors for his return to the Premiership.

"I missed the fans, stadiums, respect - everything. Yes, even the referees."

Along with Zenden, Petit found himself surplus to requirements at the Nou Camp.

Frustrated with playing out of position or worse, on the substitutes' bench, the pony-tailed star decided it was time to move away from the Catalan city.

"It was the hardest year of my career in Spain," admitted Petit. "On the pitch it was okay, because that is football. Off the pitch there was too much politics.

"I certainly expected to play more, but I made a big mistake when I first went there.

Petit was on the bench too often at Barcelona

"I did not speak to the manager or the president and I never knew which position I would play.

"And after a few weeks I was confronted by the reality.

"I played on the left side, then wider left and wider left still until I was on the substitutes' bench."

The fact that Petit turned down a move to Old Trafford indicates his faith in Chelsea and Ranieri.

And he believes the Premiership champions will not have such an easy ride this season.

"I think it's going to be more difficult this year for Manchester United and I think the Premier League will be more open than in the past few years," said Petit.

"I think we have a big opportunity to fight for the title."