Ranieiri sows seeds of doubt

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri warned Arsenal doubts may start to undermine their title bid as he urged his team to pile the pressure on Arsene Wenger’s side over Easter.

Ranieri admitted he was like a “madman” celebrating his team’s midweek success at Highbury as their quarter-final victory put him in “seventh heaven“.

However, the Italian is determined to ensure that Chelsea now build on their achievement – starting by stepping up their pursuit of Arsenal in the Premiership.

“The best moments in life are when you win trophies. This is like a little station, I still want to arrive at the final destination,” he declared.

“For us, the Champions League is still a gamble. You can win or you can lose, but the Premiership remains our main target.

“I said to the players that everything could happen now over Easter. Both teams are playing twice and we must wait and see.

“Before Arsenal’s game against Manchester United, they were very strong mentally. But after that game, there were maybe a few doubts that crept in and now there are maybe even more doubts.

“Having seen the game at Highbury again on video, the Chelsea players were relaxed and the Arsenal players, although not nervous, seemed maybe too focused.”

Arsenal’s squad strength will be tested by two tough fixtures in the next three days, starting at home to Liverpool tomorrow and then taking on Newcastle at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have a much bigger pool of players and can bring in several fresh faces for their game at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday before visiting Aston Villa on Monday.

Ranieri may have earned considerable criticism for his reputation as the ’Tinkerman’ but is hoping that this could be the moment when his squad rotation pays off.

He told Chelsea TV: “I have been working here since 2000 and English football is very strong. You have to play every game at 100% and you cannot do that with just 14 or 15 players.

“The important things is that my players understand that philosophy. It’s not easy but they are intelligent men.”

Ranieri’s future still continues to be hotly debated, with Roman Abramovich now said to be considering a u-turn over his apparent decision to sack the Italian at the end of this season.

Arjen Robben, who was signed by Chelsea during the January transfer window but does not arrive at Stamford Bridge until this summer, has nevertheless given Ranieri his complete backing.

Robben told the Evening Standard: “It’s a bit strange signing for a club where you don’t know who the manager will be but, in football, you’re never sure about anything.

“In a few weeks, Ranieri could be fired – but nothing is certain.

“I hope he stays because we had a meeting and he came across as a man who can work with young players. That’s very important.

“He is a very good trainer who wants to make his players better. He likes young players and has improved youngsters in the past, which is vital to me.”

Robben has, meanwhile, also moved to reassure Damien Duff and Joe Cole that they should not fear for their places next season.

Duff had admitted that the £12million signing of fellow left winger Robben was like a “kick in the teeth“.

However, the Dutchman insisted: “It shouldn’t be a problem for Damien because we can both play in different positions and can play in the same team.

“It’s not my fault the club want me. Damien and Joe are very good players and they shouldn’t worry about me.”