Avram Grant is not in the habit of making bold statements, so when he says that Chelsea must reach the Champions League final to be considered a big club, it is safe to assume that he means it. As Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, uttered similarly grandiose words days before José Mourinho left the club last September, however, the Chelsea first-team coach may wish that he had kept his thoughts to himself.

In the City of the Gods, Olympiacos provide an eloquent example of the limits of domestic domination. The Greek club have won their championship in ten of the past 11 years and head the table this season, but have reached this stage of the Champions League on only one previous occasion, nine years ago. Chelsea’s European record is better, with three semi-finals in the past four seasons, but Grant accepts that they must go one step farther if they are to be recognised alongside the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Manchester United.

“If you want to be a really big club and bigger than we are now, we have to be in the Champions League final,” Grant said. “We cannot say we’re big unless we’re in the final and then more. We say our target is to do it in two years, but we want to get to the final in Moscow and I will not rest personally until we get there.”

Michael Essien agreed with his coach and went farther by claiming that his side could win the quadruple. Chelsea were on course for the unprecedented achievement for much of last season until a calamitous few days at the end of April, when a 2-2 home league draw with Bolton Wanderers was followed three days later by a Champions League semi-final defeat by Liverpool. The domestic cups look their best bet again this year, but Chelsea will not give up on the Barclays Premier League and the Champions League without a fight.

“Chelsea is a big club and we will be a bigger club if we win the Champions League,” Essien, the midfield player, said. “In football everything is possible and if you believe in yourself you can do it. We will work really hard in all four trophies and believe we can win them all. We’re still in four and we have to win something this year.”

Chelsea should be far too strong for Olympiacos despite their achievement in beating Real Madrid, Lazio and Werder Bremen in the group stage, but this evening’s match has added significance as it is the first time that Grant has had a full squad to pick from since his appointment five months ago, with the exception of Andriy Shevchenko, who was due to play for the reserve team against Aston Villa last night but the game was called off.

Grant, in keeping with his conciliatory personality, will try to keep everybody happy, but Frank Lampard and John Terry miss out in an unusual step for the Israeli towards a rotation policy. Didier Drogba returns to lead the line, the manager reluctant to switch from the successful 4-3-3 formation at this stage of the season.

“What is more of a headache, this one or the one I have had for two or three months with players injured or away at the African Cup?” Grant said. “This is less sore. When I have all the players, I know who will play and how we will play.”