THANK ME FOR ROMAN EMPIRE

Ranieri: Abramovich bought Blues because I clinched crucial spot in Champions League

CLAUDIO RANIERI has given Chelsea a history lesson by reminding them he won the £1billion game that secured Roman Abramovich’s investment.

The Italian sends his injuryplagued Watford side into battle against the Premier League leaders tonight still proud of the critical victory that clinched the Russian oligarch’s takeover at Stamford Bridge 18 years ago.

Ranieri said: “In 2003, we had to beat Liverpool in the final game of the season to qualify for the Champions League, and I think it was the most important game I won.

“For this reason, Roman bought Chelsea. For him, it was very important to take a team who were in the Champions League.

“That changed the future for Chelsea – everybody at the club.

“I remember when I came back from Italy, driving through France, when the sporting director called me to say, ‘Claudio, we have sold the club, the Russian people were arriving.’

“And I said to him, ‘OK, me and you – we are the first who will go home’. He asked me why, and I told him a new owner would change everything.”

Ranieri was soon proved right. Despite finishing runners-up behind Arsenal’s Invincibles and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, he was turfed out of Stamford Bridge to make way for Jose Mourinho within 12 months.

But the new Hornets manager has more immediate worries about Watford’s crippling list of long-term

WATFORD wounded. Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr (knee ligaments) is almost certain to miss the African Cup of Nations after being ruled out for at least another month.

Veteran keeper Ben Foster (groin) and key defender Nicolas Nkoulou (hamstring) are also out until the new year.

Joint top scorer Emmanuel Dennis will miss the Blues’ visit to Vicarage Road, while there are doubts about Slovakia midfielder Juraj Kucka.

Ranieri said: “I don’t like to cry, I want to react. I want my players to be positive, confident and fight together. I am confident. “Of course, if I had all my players it would be better, but the club has given me a very good group of players. “Those who have played less, now is the right moment to show what they can do.

“It is not enough to perform well in the Championship. Now they have to show what they can do in the Premier League.”

I’LL GET MY COAT Ranieri knew his days were numbered when Abramovich arrived PROBABLE TEAMS CHELSEA Bachmann Mendy Femenia Chalobah Troost-ekong Christensen Cathcart Rudiger Masina Azpilicueta Sissoko Jorginho Kucka Barkley Louza Alonso Cleverley Mount Hernandez Havertz King Lukaku TV TIMES: 7.30pm Amazon Prime REFEREE: David Coote