Giroud with match ball in hand and Per Mertesacker celebrating Arsenal's win at the final whistle

Ranieri spent four years as manager at Chelsea

CLAUDIO RANIERI insists Chelsea will finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League.

 

The ex-Stamford Bridge boss is certain his old club will put their poor start to the season behind them. Leicester chief Ranieri has taken his side top of the Premier League while Jose Mourinho’s men are 14th.

But the Italian believes winning their Champions League group is step in the right direction for Chelsea for whom he managed from 2000-2004.

Ahead of Monday’s match, he said: “I think Chelsea for me means a lot because I worked there for four years. I’m very proud to have been their manager. But that’s an old story and now my focus is on Leicester.

 

“Their record does not mean anything as Chelsea are Chelsea and Mourinho is Mourinho.

“I’m sure at the end of the season they will be in the top four. I still think they will make the Champions League. For now it is bad luck but when they start to win they will arrive.

“I respect a lot because I watched the match last night. They played very well with good concentration. They are used to doing this as they are the champions. Sooner or later they will start.

 

“It was good for Chelsea to win and now in two or three months everything will change. I’m sure they will be ready to fight.”

Ranieri has no new injury worries with only Ritchie De Laet and Matty James sidelined.

He added: “I’m thinking only about Leicester, Leicester does not have only counter attack. We show our strength on the pitch. For us a clean sheet is very important, as sooner or later we score a goal.”