Frankly Speaking

Chelsea'a season comes down to a noon showdown with unbeaten Arsenal on Saturday and Frank Lampard another chance to prove he can compare with the very best midfielders in Europe. He spoke to Mark Gallagher.

IF HE were so inclined, Claudio Ranieri would be sweating bullets in his sleep. Ramon Abramovich smiled ruefully at the Italian last Sunday in Highbury, spawning all sorts of speculation. Lose on Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Chelsea's dreams of a first championship since 1955 will lie in tatters.

Lose on Saturday and Ranieri, according to veritable British organs, will be shown the door.