http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=285233&cc=5901
Friday, December 5, 2003
Ranieri has no plans to spend again
Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri insisted he will not embark on a major new
year spending spree as he moved to reassure his existing squad of his faith
in them.
Ranieri invested more than ￡100 million last summer and Roman Abramovich's
vast fortune remains at his disposal for the right player when the transfer
window opens.
Speculation has therefore been rife as to Chelsea's next target, with
reports indicating interest in the likes of Lucio, Michael Ballack, Roberto
Ayala and Rivaldo, quite apart from David Beckham.
However, Ranieri has stressed there will be no major upheavals to his
squad next month as he has been so impressed with the way that his existing
players have gelled as a unit.
Indeed, Chelsea travel to Leeds tomorrow as Premiership leaders, with
victory at home to Manchester United last weekend having underlined their
genuine title credentials.
Ranieri declared: 'I have a lot of champions. My players understand my
philosophy and I believe in all of my players.
'It is important to be focused on my team. I have 21 players plus the
goalkeepers and for me that is enough.
'I want to try to win every match. I want to win the respect of opponents
and the opponents' crowd.'
Not that Ranieri can categorically rule out any new arrivals at Stamford
Bridge during the transfer window if he manages to unload one or two fringe
figures, such as Mario Stanic.
However, he clearly does not wish to unsettle the team spirit which has
carried Chelsea to the top of the table and into the Champions League knock-out
stages on the back of seven consecutive clean sheets.
'We want to be strong and show good football. We are top of the league but
we do not think about it, we are thinking about continuing, working hard and
being consistent,' he maintained.
'I said at the beginning of this year that it is important for us to build
the group and to build the foundations.
'Now we want to continue. I am seeing a good attitude on the training
pitch and that is important for me because my idea is you train in the same
way that you play.'
Ranieri recalls the way in which Chelsea's title challenge was undermined
last season at Elland Road, when he admitted an error in making seven changes
to his starting line-up only to lose 2-0.
'Leeds against Chelsea are always hard matches but I remember last season
very well as we played very badly in Leeds,' he said.
The intervening period has seen Chelsea transformed by Abramovich's
millions, while Leeds' struggle has continued amid deepening financial
problems and the threat of relegation.
Ranieri has nevertheless warned his players not to underestimate Eddie
Gray's side, especially after their morale-boosting victory at Charlton last
weekend.
'There are a lot of these players [who can cause danger] - Viduka, Smith
and Milner, as well as Radebe, Matteo or Harte from the set-plays, and our
focus will be very important,' he insisted.
Chelsea will nevertheless be without Emmanuel Petit and Juan Sebastian
Veron through injury as Ranieri considers whether to restore William Gallas
to the side at the expense of Marcel Desailly.
The Chelsea boss revealed: 'The same players are out - Petit and Veron. I
think at the end of the month they will be ready to play with us again. I am
not sure but I think so.'
--
╔═══╗ ╔╗ ╔╗ ╔═══╗ ╔╗ ╔═══╗ ╔═══╗ ╔═══╗
║╔═╗║ ║║ ║║ ║╔══╝ ║║ ║╔══╝ ║╔══╝ ║╔═╗║
║║ ╚╝ ║╚═╝║ ║╚══╗ ║║ ║╚══╗ ║╚══╗ ║╚═╝║
║║ ╔╗ ║╔═╗║ ║╔══╝ ║║ ╚══╗║ ║╔══╝ ║╔═╗║
║╚═╝║ ║║ ║║ ║╚══╗ ║╚══╗ ╔══╝║ ║╚══╗ ║║ ║║
╚═══╝ ╚╝ ╚╝ ╚═══╝ ╚═══╝ ╚═══╝ ╚═══╝ ╚╝ ╚╝
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 211.74.167.75