Give Ranieri time, says Terry

John Terry believes under-pressure Claudio Ranieri should not be sacrificed following the Chelsea chief’s admission that the Barclaycard Premiership crown now looks beyond them this season.

The Blues manager is back under the spotlight after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal left them nine points behind the Gunners.

Ranieri has spent more than £100m (€146m) on new players since Roman Abramovich’s takeover of the Stamford Bridge club.

But England defender John Terry is right behind his manager.

“I’d just ask the board to be patient,” he said. “We have the quality to win the title but we need time.

“When we come back for pre-season [training] I want him there as manager, 100%. And I think that’s the same for all the lads.

“You ask anyone in the dressing room. The lads love him. Training is brilliant, everyone loves it.”

Terry added: “People talk about the pressure on Claudio but at the end of the day it’s up to the players to get the results.”