By Glenn Mason
Chelsea manager Avram Grant stated that his ambition for this season is to lead the Londoners to the Champions League final in Moscow in May.
Europe's biggest club prize is the one that Roman Abramovich values most and Jose Mourinho’s failure to capture the trophy is thought to have accelerated his exit from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been beaten in three semi-finals in the past four season, with two of those defeats coming in dramatic ties against Liverpool in 2005 and 2007.
Following last night's 0-0 draw with Valencia, the Israeli acknowledged that competition will once again be strong. It is expected that he will be given the funds to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window, with a striker the item on the list.
He said: 'It is not a secret that we want to be in the final. This is our target for the next years, but we want to do it this year. I think we can do it but I know there are other teams that have the quality to do it.
'As people involved in this club, which is a good club, we need to work to achieve the best. I liked finishing top of this group but it is more important how we played in this group and we played very good tonight.
'It was not important for qualification here but we wanted to play well and it was great football. We deserved 5-0 at least in this game but it is the best 0-0 I can expect. It is a good feeling to finish top of the group.'
Grant also confirmed that Andriy Shevchenko’s substitution at half-time had been planned. Grant also chose to replace Frank Lampard early in the second half with an eye on the crunch Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.
The Chelsea manager also dismissed suggestions that he would omit Ashley Cole from his line-up on Sunday because of the acrimony that surrounded his departure from Arsenal last season. Cole was rested for last night’s game and is fit to start should he be needed.
Valencia coach Ronald Koeman once again watched his side struggle in front of goal. They have not scored in their five previous games, with their last goal coming in the middle of November.
Their shot-shy nature has transferred to the Champions League with David Villa scoring their only two goals. Koeman faces a difficult task to haul Valencia back into the title race in the Primera Liga.
He said: 'We had problems in attack but you have to remember we were playing a big side who haven't conceded many goals in the Premier League or the Champions League.
'I do take some positives from the game. In the last couple of games we haven't conceded. It is important to give some security to our defence.'
