TAYLOR DELIGHTED TO GET WISE MAN

The former England international had been with Chelsea for 11 seasons before moving to the Midlands, partly to fulfil his desire for first-team football.

Wise joined Chelsea after his leading role in Wimbledon's surge to the top, but with the arrival of Frank Lampard he saw the writing on the wall and decided to move on.

Foxes boss Peter Taylor was pleased with the capture of the feisty midfielder.

Taylor said: "I'm absolutely delighted to have finally got Dennis, a player I've admired for years, who will be a tremendous player for us and it's tremendous for the club."

When asked about the move, Wise said: "It wasn't a difficult decision in the end, I'd made my mind up to leave, it's good to be here, that a club like Leicester came in for me.

"I'd made my decision to leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

"There were a lot of factors, I'd spent 11 years, 11 enjoyable years at Stamford Bridge.  I didn't want to be a bit part player, I didn't want to be sitting on the bench.

"The way it looked with Mr Ranieri, I wouldn't be playing in my position and I didn't want to spoil the 11 years I had."

However, Wise looked back on his time with Chelsea with fond memories, he said: "I had good years there but I'm at a new club now in Leicester where I hope to have good years too.

"It's nothing to do with Chelsea signing loads of foreigners."

When asked to look to the future, Wise said: "There is a good crop of players here (at Leicester) and well capable of at least getting into Europe and winning the cup.

"It's good to have Robbie Savage on my side, he's a pain in the backside to play against!

"I wouldn't have expected this a year ago but I'm looking forward to it - it's something new, it's something exciting."

Taylor revealed he sees Wise as the missing link in his midfield.  The manager said: "Ever since Lennon went to Celtic we've missed him, that type of player.  We needed someone to take responsibility and get angry on the pitch.

"He (Wise) will be a major, major player for us in the position he plays.  He's a very fit 34-year-old.

"I've only spoken to Dennis twice, once at the England Under-21s when I left him out because he was too old!"

Wise was equally pleased to be playing under a manager he admired, saying: "Peter was very upfront and very straight with me (with the England situation) and I was impressed by him.  From that day onwards I've had a lot of respect for him."

However, Wise would not be drawn on his relationship with Claudio Ranieri, the Chelsea boss, saying: "Mr Ranieri?  I won't go into that. With Mr Bates and Mr Hutchison in charge I'm sure they'll be alright."