Monaco's my focus now, says Deschamps

Didier Deschamps today distanced himself from suggestions of a return to Chelsea and vowed to knock them out of the Champions League.

Monaco's astonishing run to the semi-finals has seen their manager linked with Claudio Ranieri's position at Stamford Bridge but the Frenchman, who has also attracted attention from Juventus, is refusing to look beyond tonight's game.

The former Chelsea midfielder said: "For the moment it's hard to talk about it because I am enjoying life in Monaco. I am concentrating on this game and do not like to talk about the future."

Deschamps would do well to match the achievements of a playing career that brought him World Cup and European Championship winner's medals and five European Cup Final appearances, but he has made an impressive start.

In a season of surprises, Monaco's passage through to the last four has eclipsed the lot, a far cry from this time last year when they were facing relegation to the Second Division because of their huge debts. While Ranieri has enjoyed spending £130million on new players this season, Deschamps has had to rely on a mixture of youngsters and hired hands, but he is adamant that money will not decide the tie.

He said: "Money is a key element in football but it's not the only guarantee of success."

Although Deschamps approaches the game with confidence, he says Chelsea are favourites. He added: "Chelsea have no weaknesses. They have a very good defence and are also very offensive."