Ranieri: Rain could hurt Blues' hopes

Claudio Ranieri believes the “swimming pool” Stamford Bridge pitch will transform tomorrow’s FA Cup third round showdown with terrible travellers Middlesbrough into a lottery.

Chelsea’s home turf resembled a ploughed field after the Boxing Day clash with Southampton – and more than three inches of rain has fallen in the week since.

The usually lush playing surface is to be re-laid, but only after next Saturday’s home date with Charlton.

Ranieri believes the conditions tomorrow will wipe out his side’s psychological advantage stemming from Boro’s nightmare form on the road this season.

Steve McClaren’s men have taken just four points from a possible 33, scoring just four goals as they have won once, drawn once and lost nine times.

Boro – who along with Southampton are the only clubs unbeaten at home – have not even hit the net away from the Riverside in the Premiership since winning 3-0 at Tottenham on September 28.

But Ranieri said: “I imagine the pitch at Stamford Bridge yesterday was like a swimming pool.

“We’re confident because we’re a good team, but we cannot say the opposition are so so because the pitch can change everything.

“It’s not possible to play the ball on the floor now. Many factors influence tactics such as how the players want to play and the opposition. But there is also the pitch.

“Best squads are those that can change their tactics and system and read the match early on.

“Middlesbrough are a good team and fantastic tactically. Everybody works hard to cover and counter attack. Job, Geremi and Greening are like strikers.

“So there is no explanation why they only have one away victory so far. I watched Boro against Arsenal and their football was fantastic.”

A PA WeatherCentre spokesman detailed the extreme conditions which are likely to reduce tomorrow’s cup tie to a mud bath.

“There has been a colossal amount of rain in the last 14 days – and just over three inches in London since St Stephen's Day,” he said.

“There will be a few spots of rain today and possibly some sleet before becoming very cold tomorrow.

“That means Chelsea’s pitch will lose a bit of moisture – but that takes a long time as the days are short and the grass is not growing at this time of year.”

Fresh reports surfaced today linking Eidur Gudjohnsen with a move to Manchester United – but Ranieri’s response when asked if he had received interest in any of his players was, “No, no, no.”

But he did admit a huge bid for one of his players could alter his policy of keeping his squad together.

“I don’t know if some teams want my players,” he said. “And at the moment we still have the same group.

“But if a team says they will pay a lot of money for one player and the chairman (Ken Bates) asks me what I want to do, that’s another thing.

“But I want all my players and I need all my players. I believe in them and have a lot of confidence that we can do a great job.”

Although Ranieri does not expect any permanent transfers from Stamford Bridge, he revealed today Mikael Forssell could again be farmed out on loan.

Asked if a temporary deal for the 21-year-old Finland striker, a fortnight away from full fitness after six months out with a knee injury, was likely Ranieri said, “Maybe, as it’s very important for him to play and improve his condition after being out for six months.

“Mikael’s training and very close to his comeback – maybe just a couple of weeks.”

Striker Carlton Cole was yesterday recalled from his loan at First Division Wolves as cover for Gianfranco Zola, as the Italian battles back to fitness after his shin injury sustained in a 3-2 New Year’s Day defeat at Arsenal.