Ranieri muses over life at the top

CLAUDIO RANIERI yesterday claimed to have cast off his tag as the tinker man of the Premiership 24 hours before his Chelsea team aim for the away victory over Middlesbrough which would take them top of the table.

Ranieri was criticised by the fans and the pundits for ringing the changes last season and he acknowledged the rotation policy, although a vital part of getting to know his players, has been consigned to the past.

"Last year I was a tinker man. This year, no. Now I have all my players available but last season I always had to make changes," said the Italian as he explained his policy shift.