Ranieri on trophy mission

It's time for Chelsea's Italian boss to deliver

Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri is hoping finally to move out of compatriot Gianluca Vialli's shadow in what is a critical season for the club.

Many Chelsea fans are still reserving judgement on Ranieri whose tactical changes and faltering command of English have not endeared him to Stamford Bridge diehards.

Now, however, Ranieri must stand up and be counted after rebuilding the squad during the summer.

The expensive signings of Emmanuel Petit, Frank Lampard, Boudewijn Zenden and William Gallas have put even more pressure on the quietly spoken manager.

I don't know if this style is actually suited to English football

Frank Leboeuf

But Frank Leboeuf is not convinced that Ranieri is the right man for the job.

While Marcel Desailly and Gianfranco Zola offer experience, the likes of Jesper Gronkjaer, Eidur Gudjohnsen, John Terry, Jody Morris and Mario Melchiot will all develop further.

"I knew when I came here that I was being brought in to reconstruct the team. I love reconstructing," Ranieri told Chelsea's Onside magazine.

"In my career, it's happened at almost every club I have been to. I have a good basis for reconstruction here now I know our players, the surroundings and everything."

The summer departure of the ebullient Dennis Wise to Leicester has given Ranieri even more influence.

"I've never played in Italy but from what I can see, Mr Ranieri is a typical Italian manager. They like to baby-sit you," said Leboeuf.

Title mission

"The problem is that I don't know if this style is actually suited to English football because players come to England so they can have a bit of freedom."

Ranieri's constant tactical switches, both between and during games, have taken time for his squad to adapt to.

"If a player isn't producing, it's my job to help him so that he believes he can do it. But if I realise he's had enough and doesn't want to put the effort in, I'll have him out of the side."

Having signed a three-year contract, Ranieri has admitted he will consider himself a failure if he has not brought the title to Stamford Bridge within that time.

Despite reservations about his ability, Chelsea finished last season on an upward curve. Ranieri's future could depend on that continuing.