Soccer: Chelsea players trying too hard to prove themselves, says Ranieri

CLAUDIO RANIERI fears his players are trying too hard to make an impression and that it could prevent Chelsea from mounting a serious challenge to Manchester United's and Arsenal’s bids for trophies this season.

The Blues were a goal up and in control against Bolton yesterday, but once the visitors equalised Ranieri's men lost their cool and ended up losing their unbeaten home record in the Premiership this season.

Ranieri felt the result just went to prove what he has been saying all along - that Chelsea are not yet on the same level and United and Arsenal.

"Maybe my players are trying too hard to prove themselves," said Ranieri. "We must finish teams off, we must go for the kill when we have the opportunity.

"When you want to compare Chelsea with Manchester United and Arsenal and I say we are still improving, maybe now you will believe me. They are a team but we are still learning as a team, that is the difference.

"When we restarted they wanted to do something more, and I shouted from the bench for them to take only one or two touches, but they wanted to do something more.

"The character is good but we must learn when it is better to attack and better to keep possession, and only the matches can teach us this," he said.

Hernan Crespo headed Chelsea in front after 21 minutes, but Bruno N'Gotty headed home a free-kick for the equaliser 18 minutes later.

Bolton grew in confidence in the second half as they saw how Chelsea lacked ideas, and with two minutes remaining they pulled off a sensational victory when John Terry deflected Kevin Davies' cross into his own net.

Despite Ranieri's fears, Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is tipping Chelsea to win the title and is hoping the confidence gained from this result will see his team finish well clear of the relegation zone.

"Historically we've got a good record at United but not against Chelsea. That makes it a huge, huge result for us," said Allardyce.

"Chelsea have strength in depth and that means they have the team to go all the way, despite this disappointment. United might just have the edge in experience, that might be crucial.

"United are used to it and these guys probably aren't. That might be crucial but Chelsea have enough to go all the way for me.

"We've got a lot of confidence in ourselves. We were disappointed at Fulham but this makes up for all that frustration. To do it at a place like Chelsea, with the quality of players they've got makes it a delight.

"From the start of the season I've said that we're too good to be thinking about avoiding relegation. This is our third year and our only real problem is strength in depth, because the players have proven themselves all over the world."

Chelsea surrendered top spot in the Premiership yesterday, but Ranieri is optimistic his team will not now fall out of the title race, as they did last Christmas.

He added: "I know only too well that the Christmas period is very dangerous for us, but this is a different Chelsea."