Ranieri keeps faith in the squad

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 stg£100million 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.