Dixon backs Chelsea trip

Chelsea chairman Ken Bates remains upbeat

Kerry Dixon tells BBC Sport Online's Stuart Roach that Chelsea's spirits are high, despite travelling to Tel Aviv without six players.

Former Chelsea striker Kerry Dixon insists the club are in buoyant mood ahead of their Uefa Cup clash in Tel Aviv, despite the decision of six players not to make the trip.

Chelsea travelled to Israel on Wednesday for a second-round clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv, leaving behind a wealth of experience.

Club captain Marcel Desailly, already ruled out because of injury, was joined on the sidelines by Emmanuel Petit, Eidur Gudjohnsen, William Gallas, Graeme Le Saux and Albert Ferrer.

There is no fear among those who have travelled

Kerry Dixon

But Dixon believes Claudio Ranieri still has enough experience at his disposal to put Chelsea in command of the tie.

"Everyone is in good spirits and all those getting on the plane seem happy enough to go," said Dixon, travelling with the official party as a summariser for the club's radio station.

"Everyone who has made the trip is looking forward to the game and there are a few youngsters who have been brought in as back-up.

"It will be good experience for them and they are keen to be involved.

"Claudio Ranieri likes to rotate his squad anyway, so who is to say all six of the players left behind would have been involved in Israel."

Dixon, who played more than 400 games and scored 191 goals for the Blues and still makes regular appearances in charity games, is certain he would have made the trip as a player.

Dixon still plays for Chelsea in charity games

But he does not believe those who have stayed behind should be criticised.

"I spoke to the chairman, Ken Bates, and he seems happy enough with the situation.

"There is no fear among those who have travelled. Security is tight, as you would expect, but they are travelling to Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem."

Dixon also feels Chelsea will be too strong for the side from Israel over two legs, with the return fixture at Stamford Bridge in a fortnight.

"The side they put out in Israel will be more than capable of getting a result to bring back to Stamford Bridge.

"The important thing is to make progress through the rounds and this is a game the club needed to play, or face being eliminated."