Ranieri backs 'Snake' Mutu to bite

Mutu is in line to make his debut against Leicester on Saturday and Ranieri believes his signing from Parma will be a real danger in The Premiership.

Ranieri has likened the Romanian international to a snake as he is a real predator in attack and feels he fire Chelsea to success.

"I once said Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is like a shark and Carlton Cole like a lion Well, Adrian Mutu is another born predator. In fact, Mutu is like a snake," said Ranieri.

"When I was coach at Valencia, it was me who nicknamed another great Romanian player 'The Cobra'. That was Adrian Ilie - and the nickname stuck.

"Like Ilie, Mutu is so clever, so cunning and stays hidden until it is necessary to apply the killer finish.

"No matter the size of our squad, I bought Mutu to play in the first team.

"The position of left-sided striker is made for him.

"He can ghost in from behind the main striker and, when he does, the goalkeeper will be a dead man.

"This is why I have dreamed of signing Mutu for such a very long time.

"Adrian scored 18 goals in Italy last season. He is intelligent and will also help the team with a lot of assists.

"Immediately Mr Abramovich asked me to draw up a list of the players I wanted, I put Mutu right at the top. The first name.

"He is a champion, a strong character - and I demand champions and strong characters in this side."