LONDON // Claudio Ranieri has no doubt Frank Lampard will be a success if he moves to Italy. But while he is a big admirer of the Chelsea player, who he took to Stamford Bridge when he was coach, he won't be trying to sign him to Juventus. And Ranieri claims Roman Abramovich would have been more keen to do a deal with him this summer than Jose Mourinho, whose Inter Milan side have been relentlessly chasing the England midfielder without success.
As Chelsea cannot agree terms on a new contract, Lampard seems set to join Inter on a free transfer at the end of the season. Ranieri said: "He would be great in Italy because he was always interested in different types of football. "He was always curious about everything. He is a player who loves football and knowing about football and that's why he wouldn't have much of a problem adapting. "I am very attached to Lampard. I think he is a champion, but I never thought about buying him.
"If I'd have asked, he (Roman Abramovich) would have given him to me, but not to Mourinho. I'll let you figure out why." Ranieri, back in London for this weekend's Emirates Cup tournament, has been keeping track of developments at his former club, particularly the managerial change. Having had just one year at Chelsea under Abramovich before Mourinho was brought in, he admits it is getting tougher at the Bridge for the man in the hot seat.
Avram Grant found that out when he was ruthlessly dismissed at the end of last season despite finishing second in the Premier League and losing the Champions League on penalties to Manchester United. Luiz Felipe Scolari now has the unenviable task of taking Chelsea to the top and Ranieri said: "Now what matters is that you win, not that you are rebuilding a team. 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. When I was there, it was Abramovich's first year. 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.
"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'. It was amazing." @Email:akhan@thenational.ae
