Ranieri: I'd have Fowler at Chelsea

Claudio Ranieri claims he wants Robbie Fowler at Chelsea, if the England striker decides to leave Liverpool.  

Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson confirmed before the 1-1 draw with Newcastle that the Blues had agreed a £12million deal for Fowler last December, if he ever asked for a transfer from Anfield.

Blues boss Ranieri followed that up after the game against Newcastle by confirming he is still interested in signing Fowler, even though the player has reportedly made his peace at Liverpool and apologised to assistant manager Phil Thompson over a training ground bust-up.

"If Robbie wants to come here I will take him," said Ranieri. "I like Fowler, he is a good striker.

"I have four good forwards here, so if Fowler came it would give me a problem - but I would like this problem.

"As for the money, don't ask me because that is not my problem, I don't have the money. You will have to ask Colin Hutchinson about that."

It seems unlikely that Fowler will now leave Liverpool if he has made his peace with his bosses. In any case, Ranieri's bigger worries are at the other end of his team, in the goalkeeping position.

After playing Mark Bosnich in all the pre-season friendlies, Ranieri left him on the bench and instead played Ed De Goey in what was the Premiership's first ever pay-per-view match.

But de Goey gifted Newcastle a 77th minute equaliser, spilling a long-range shot from Laurent Robert, which Clarence Acuna pounced on to bundle home the loose ball.