Avram Grant said for the first time yesterday that he is ill-prepared for the task ahead, though the Chelsea manager can console himself with the thought that his first Champions League match in charge, against Valencia tonight, cannot be as traumatic as his last. As manager of Maccabi Haifa six years ago, Grant thought he had guided his side to a third qualifying-round tie against Liverpool, only to be disqualified for fielding an ineligible player.

Chelsea encountered no administrative problems when they landed on the Costa Blanca yesterday – with even Alex, the Brazil defender who was stopped at Heathrow when he first joined Chelsea in the summer, flying through passport control without a fight. But after managing to score only against Rosenborg and Hull City in their past six matches, the club’s paperwork is about all that is in order. Grant’s main problem concerns unfit rather than illegible players. John Terry, who has a fractured cheekbone, is set to play wearing a protective face mask that his manager likened to a Hallowe’en costume, though if Chelsea lose, the real horror story could just be starting.

Grant, in outlining his Champions League credentials, cited watching 20 matches every season, but conceded that time is against him. The problem is so acute that he has yet to implement his own training schedule, which goes some way to explaining last night’s lackadaisical session at the Mestalla, during which Grant and his assistant, Steve Clarke, barely exchanged a word.

“I took a very difficult job at a very difficult time with no time for preparation,” Grant said. “At the moment we are doing what the players were used to in the past, including preparation, tactics and everything. I can’t choose the timing of it.

“If you ask any coach in the world, he would say he wants to take a new job at the beginning of the year. You can have a training camp and time to prepare the team in your own style and with your own vision. Next summer I’ll have that opportunity when Chelsea go to China.”

Grant’s slow boat may have set sail from Stamford Bridge long before then as circumstances continue to conspire against him. The Israeli appears doomed to suffer in the shadow of José Mourinho and fate has dealt him another dud hand in the shape of a European bow at the scene of one of his predecessor’s greatest triumphs.

Chelsea’s stirring 2-1 win here in April was their last outstanding performance under Mourinho and arguably the best of his three-year reign, though it is difficult to see how it can be repeated. In contrast to the visiting team, Valencia have started the season in sparkling form and have won their past seven matches, with the provocative description by Fernando Morientes, the Spanish side’s forward, of Chelsea as a “dirty team” highlighting their desire for revenge.

Chelsea’s best hope is that the spirit shown by Terry will inspire his team-mates, while the return of Michael Essien from a hamstring injury at the ground where he scored an injury-time winner six months ago will provide a boost. Andriy Shevchenko brought Chelsea level with his 47th Champions League goal in that match and is likely to keep his place despite recent indications that he has forgotten how to score.

“I was at the game last season and it was a very good game,” Grant said. “Chelsea played very well in the second half and won. The last month was not good for us, but the players are totally focused. It’s not an easy time for us and we need John Terry. England and Chelsea can be proud that he’s their captain.

“For me he’s someone who gives a good example, not who says many things and doesn’t back it up. He wants to play for the team and give everything he can.”

How they line up

Valencia (possible; 4-4-2): S Cañizares - Miguel, R Albiol, I Helguera, E Moretti – JoaquÍn, D Albelda, C Marchena, D Silva – D Villa, F Morientes.

Chelsea (possible; 4-4-2): P Cech – J Belletti, T Ben Haim, J Terry, A Cole – J Cole, J O Mikel, M Essien, F Malouda – D Drogba, A Shevchenko.

Referee: R Rosetti (Italy).

Television: Live on Sky Sports Xtra from 7.30pm (kick-off 7.45pm).