Ranieri looks for road to success

Claudio Ranieri, the man who began Valencia’s journey towards two Champions League finals, believes Chelsea are on a similar road to success.

Three years ago, the Italian led Valencia to Spanish Cup success and their best finish for a decade, which delivered a place in Europe’s elite club competition.

Ranieri immediately left for the lure of Atletico Madrid but success continued without him.

Following his departure, progression to the continent’s highest echelon via the fast lane was confirmed despite losing to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in consecutive finals.

And this weekend will see Valencia crowned Spanish champions should they defeat Malaga in their penultimate match of the campaign.

Reflecting on the possibility of victory for Chelsea in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Arsenal providing a similar trek to glory, Ranieri said: ‘‘In Valencia I made a little way and now there is a motorway.

‘‘I hope for the same here. I would like to start the little way and I want also to build the motorway.

‘‘That is why I signed a contract recently for five years.

‘‘The fact that Chelsea is in the final is very good after a good season for us.

‘‘I am building something and I believe in this team, there are some good young players and I am looking for them to arrive in this final.’’

The Roman is well aware that his home city was not constructed in a day, though, and suggests it will take time to reach the levels of Arsenal.

‘‘To win this final is very important for the improvement of the players,’’ said Ranieri, who also won the Coppa Italia as boss of Fiorentina.

‘‘If we win they will be very sure of themselves. The improvement will happen quicker.

‘‘But for us to get to the same level it will take time because Arsene Wenger has been at Arsenal a long time and I want to build.

‘‘Look at the table, they are the best. I admire them and this team played very well in the Champions League, in my opinion.

‘‘We want to work together for a long time and I think then we can do the same, more or less, as Arsenal.

‘‘We want to fight for the title and go into the Champions League, we want to be a good team in England and, if possible, in Europe.’’

Whatever happens at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday Chelsea will have failed to meet Ranieri’s pre-season target of a top-four place and Champions League football next season.

He admits silverware from Cardiff will compensate.

He said: ‘‘Yes, of course it would. But when you give everything you have, with all your heart, and there are other teams better than you, well done to them.

‘‘Well done Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Newcastle. Now I want to finish fifth. That’s normal.

‘‘I think it’s been a good season because, although my target was to go in the Champions League, it was also to improve on last season.

‘‘And we changed a lot of players, we sold some great players, the Chelsea story, like (Gus) Poyet, (Frank) Leboeuf, like (Dennis) Wise.

‘‘In came another experienced player like (Emmanuel) Petit and some younger players.

‘‘And I think the season is better than last because Chelsea improved the defence. We conceded less goals than last season.

‘‘The only disappointment is we didn’t win a lot of games away.

‘‘At home more or less we have the same points as Manchester, Arsenal, Newcastle, everybody more or less.

‘‘But the big difference is away. My target now for the next season is to improve away.’’

That, no doubt, includes the trip down the M4 for the 2002 showpiece, one that Ranieri believes is even.

‘‘The final is a strange match,’’ he declared.

‘‘Everyone says that Arsenal is the favourite, but in my opinion, no. It’s 50-50. Arsenal have great players, I have great players.’’