Chelsea's previous Italian recruits, such as Roberto di Matteo and Gianfranco Zola, saw their international chances dwindle after coming to the Premiership but Cudicini has bucked that trend with his consistent displays over the past two seasons.
He was rewarded with his first call-up to the Italian national squad for last month's friendly against Turkey, which ended in a 1-1 draw. 
Although he did not make it off the bench and must wait for his international debut, Ranieri believes his compatriot has what it takes to become a regular ahead of Gianluigi Buffon, Francesco Toldo and several other top-class rivals.
Ranieri declared: "I'm very happy because Carlo deserved his call-up last month. In my opinion, he's really the first-choice goalkeeper in Italy.
"I had Francesco Toldo when he was younger, I took him when he played in the second division.
"Both he and Carlo give me the same sensation, I'm very sure of them on the bench. They're both very calm and strong mentally, they both have strong characters and they have great reactions," he told Chelsea TV.
Cudicini, 29, has kept eight clean sheets this season and conceded just 14 goals in Chelsea's 17 Barclaycard Premiership games, having been one of only two ever-presents in the side along with William Gallas.
Ranieri told Chelsea TV: "I had Francesco Toldo when he was younger, I took him when he played in the second division.
"Both he and Claudio give me the same sensation, I'm very sure of them on the bench.
They're both very calm and strong mentally, they both have strong characters and they have great reactions."
However Carlo’s journey has been long and hard and has struggled in the past with a persistent injury and failing to impress previous coaches and managers.
With each glorious performance however, the 29-year-old Italian is laying these ghosts to rest.
The son of Fabio Cudicini, one of the all time great Italian keepers (AC Milan and Roma), much was expected of young Carlo, but few believed he could live up to his father’s reputation.
“They always said: “Yes, but your father was better,” Cudicini recalls.
He started his career at AC Milan – with whom Fabio won the European Cup in 1969 – but failed to make a single appearance.
And things went from bad to worse when he struggled with persistent injury problems for three years at Como and Lazio.
When Carlo found himself banished to lower-league side Castel di Sangro, the future looked bleak.
It was at this point that Chelsea brought the Italian to Stamford Bridge on a loan deal as cover for Ed De Goey. Carlo impressed so much that Chelsea had little hesitation in making the deal permanent in the Summer of 2000. He cost the club £160,000!!!! £160,000!!!! Pretty shrewd.
After a slow start, Cudicini has fought off stiff competition from De Goey and Mark Bosnich. Last seasons outstanding and consistent displays now confirming him as first choice.
Matching the achievements of his father, nicknamed the 'Black Spider' by English journalists due to his black kit and long legs after helping Milan to overcome Manchester United in the 1969 European Cup semi-finals, may still be some way off.
But Cudicini, who signed a new contract at Chelsea last season, is now finally starting to establish his reputation in his native Italy as much as in his adopted homeland of England.
He will be at the heart of Chelsea's attempt to go top of the Premiership this Saturday, albeit possibly for just 24 hours until Arsenal face Tottenham, with victory at Middlesbrough.