New deal for Ranieri?

The Sun claims that chairman Ken Bates wants Ranieri to stay at the club until 2005, two years after the Italian's current deal expires. It also says that Ranieri will get a pay rise of around £5,000 a week, netting him £25,000 a week.

Ranieri has had his critics in his 18 month stay at Stamford Bridge but he is now getting the best out of his players. The Italian, who had previously managed in Italy and Spain, said, "The president (Ken Bates) has offered me a further two years."