Ranieri: Drogba was my idea

Blues owner Roman Abramovich did not balk at Marseille's £24 million asking price, and Ranieri believes this is because a move for the player had already been mooted.

The new Valencia coach was replaced in the summer to make way for Jose Mourinho - who has since extolled the virtues of the Ivory Coast striker.

However, Ranieri insists it was he who first broached the subject of pursuing Drogba.

''I spoke with Roman to buy Drogba,'' declared Ranieri.

''I said that he is a very good striker. He has been in the plans for a while.''

Ranieri concedes that he is still an interested observer of events at Stamford Bridge and believes Chelsea will achieve similar levels to those under his tenure.

''I think that it is difficult to say what Chelsea can do now but more or less the same as under me,'' he continued.

''To win before was not easy but now Chelsea are in a position where there are higher expectations.

''Chelsea will always be among the first group of teams and that is important for the fans and Abramovich's investment.''