BLACKBURN boss Graeme Souness today responded to speculation linking him with a shock move to Chelsea by saying: 'I've already got one of the best jobs in the Premiership.'

A story in one of this morning's national newspapers claimed that Souness is being lined up as a possible successor to Claudio Ranieri if the Italian fails to bring success to Stamford Bridge.

Ranieri is under huge pressure to deliver after spending £110 million of Roman Abramovich's money on new signings this summer.

England boss Sven Goran Eriksson has already been touted as the favourite to succeed Ranieri should he fail to live up to Abramovich's expectations.

But if the Swede was to reject the Blues' overtures then it's claimed that Souness tops a list of high-profile alternatives, due to his connections with Israeli super agent Pini Zahavi -- the power behind the Abramovich throne.

However, the Rovers boss insists he is perfectly happy overseeing a revolution of his own at Ewood and he's committed to seeing the job through after strengthening his hand with a raft of new signings this summer.

"I've heard nothing and I know nothing," said Souness, speaking exclusively to the Evening Telegraph.

"All I can say is I've already got one of the best jobs in the Premier League, I'm working with some great people, I'm extremely happy here, and I've signed a four year contract.

"We've come a long way in three years and I'm more excited now than at any point in the last three seasons.

"I've convinced these players that this club is going in the right direction and I spent most of the summer trying to get them here, so it would be wrong of me to disappear at the first opportunity."

Rovers have also been quick to dismiss the story as pure speculation, insisting they have not been approached by anyone from Chelsea.

"Thankfully, there has not been any approach for Graeme and we certainly wouldn't welcome one," said Rovers' chief executive John Williams.

"In any event, Graeme is very happy with the squad he has built here and I know he is looking forward to working with them this season.

"He's very optimistic about our prospects for the season ahead."

It's easy to see why Souness would be one of the names in the frame if the Chelsea job ever became available.

In his three and a half years at Ewood, he has led Rovers from First Division obscurity to the higher echelons of the Premier League.

In that time, he has also won the Worthington Cup and led Rovers to two successive UEFA Cup campaigns.

On top of that, his record in the transfer market has been hugely impressive and he also has the experience of managing some of the biggest club sides in Europe.

However, Souness has repeatedly stated that he is happier now than at any point in his managerial career and he thoroughly enjoys his working environment at Rovers, where he is free from the pressures and constraints of working for a PLC.

Rovers reserves are in action against Sunderland tonight at Durham City football club.

Dino Baggio will again get the chance to work on his fitness as Rovers look to bounce back from last week's 2-1 defeat against Leeds.

"If we play with the same sort of endeavour as we did last week then we'll be alright," said team boss Alan Murray.

"I thought we gave a good account of ourselves against Leeds and it was a game we shouldn't really have lost.

"We missed a penalty and had several other great chances but we couldn't quite find an equaliser."

Rovers' squad for tonight is: Yelldell, Michael Taylor, Martin Taylor, Johansson, McEveley, Black, Baggio, Donnelly, Nelson, Morgan, Barker, Grabbi, Renton, Pelzer, Fitzgerald, Johnson, Byrom.