Eriksson praise for Ranieri

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has praised Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri for the way he has handled all the speculation over his future.

Ranieri is widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer despite steering the Blues to the Barclaycard Premiership runners-up spot and the Champions League semi-finals.

A number of candidates have been linked with the Chelsea managerial post including Eriksson, who even met Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon for talks.

The Swede has since agreed a new contract with the Football Association but Ranieri’s hold on his job has continued to look shaky, with Porto’s Jose Mourinho now hotly tipped to take over.

Eriksson told Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday programme: “It has been a difficult season but I must say he has done a great job – second in the league and reaching the semis in the Champions League, it has been a great season.

“But I think he is used to this (speculation). He is Italian and every day in Italy there are rumours. I think he is handling it very well.”

On his own links with the Chelsea post, Eriksson added: “I think it was important when the speculation came out to kill it and I signed a long contract.

“It was important it stopped before Euro 2004. Had it dragged on it would have spoiled a big tournament and made it impossible.”

Two of the players set to feature in England’s campaign in Portugal are Frank Lampard and John Terry, who have both been key figures in Chelsea’s season.

Eriksson has been impressed by both and said: “Those two players have taken a step up as players and human beings.

“Lampard has been absolutely fantastic. I think the move from West Ham to Chelsea has been important. He has been playing in Europe for three years and he is ready.

“I hope he goes on like that in Portugal. I hope he will not be too tired because he has played in nearly all the games. He does a lot of attacking and scores goals as well.

“Terry is another one playing almost all the games.

“A defender needs to be able to defend if he is to play in central defence in the European Championship.

“Ideally he would have the feet of (Franz) Beckenbauer as well but firstly he needs to be able to defend and have a good reading of the game. He (Terry) has that and that is important.”