sport

RANIERI: CHELSEA WOULD SELL FRANK

Ranieri - could sign Lampard, if he wanted to.

Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri believes Chelsea would have let him buy Frank Lampard this summer - but he had no intention of moving for his former player.

Ranieri's fellow former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was eager to take Lampard to the San Siro after being appointed manager of Inter Milan.

However Inter were unable to prise the England midfielder away from Stamford Bridge.

Ranieri believes Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would have been more willing to let one of his star players move to Juventus - despite the London club's assertion they do not sell their best players to anyone.

"If I'd have asked, he would have given him to me," said Ranieri. "But not to Mourinho.

"I'll let you figure out why.

"However, I never thought about buying him."

Ranieri believes the England international, who he signed from West Ham during his time at Stamford Bridge, would do well in Italy.

"I'm very attached to Lampard," he added. "He would be great in Italy because he is always interested in different types of football.

"He loves knowing about football and that's why he wouldn't have much of a problem adapting."

Lampard now seems certain to remaining at Stamford Bridge, at least for the remaining year of his contract.

Ranieri claims new Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will find a very different environment at Stamford Bridge to when he was in charge.

Ranieri's four seasons at the helm saw the Blues slowly claw their way up the Premier League table before Roman Abramovich bought the club and kick-started their transformation into one of the best teams in Europe.

However, Ranieri was the man who paid the price for the Russian billionaire's high demands as he was sacked a year after Abramovich bought the club.

Scolari is Chelsea's fourth manager under Abramovich, and Ranieri wonders whether the Russian's patience could be wearing thin as he seeks domestic and Champions League glory.

"When I was there it was Abramovich's first year," Scolari said. "Everything was well and I got on very well with him.

"He had a huge enthusiasm for Chelsea and a great desire to take Chelsea right to the top.

"But now it's four years on and I don't know how much enthusiasm he still has for football and how much money he still wants to spend.

"I know he wants to take Chelsea to the top but it depends if he's still willing to spend more money."

Ranieri fondly remembers the year he was given to splash Abramovich's cash.

But the 56-year-old, who is back in London as Juve prepare to take part in the Emirates Cup, was also quick to remind everyone how well he did before he had access to Abramovich's billions.

"I'm very proud of my third season where we did well without spending a single pound," he continued. "That year we came fourth in the Premier League and also got into the Champions League.

"And you have to remember, Chelsea were a failing team before.

"But the following year was something that will stay with me all my life. My last year was something that will never be repeated.

"It was like fantasy football!

"I was like, 'I'll take this one and that one...and that one'. It was amazing."

Ranieri felt the axe fall at Chelsea despite taking them to the Champions League semi-finals.

Avram Grant went one better last season, taking the Blues to the final where they lost to Manchester United, but also succumbed to the same fate.

Ranieri admits to feeling somewhat sympathetic towards Grant in a climate where the demands on him and his fellow coaches have grown.

"I do feel a bit of sympathy," said Ranieri. "But it happens.

"Because now what matters is that you win not that you are rebuilding.

"Now you don't have time to rebuild anymore. New overseas owners come in and they want to win immediately.

"But they have to realise that it's not like Harrods where you go pay and buy something. You have to build."