This is what I came across:
What were your first impressions of Claudio Ranieri when he arrived at Chelsea? Is it true that you were his translator for a while?
Helen Cooper, via email
Six months! For six months I was his translator! [
FFT
: How was that?] It was difficult, let's say, especially during training. I'd be trying to focus on one thing and the next minute I was helping the manager explain something complicated. I even had to drop players for him. I hated that. I'd say, "Look, it's not me saying this!" It wasn't nice to do.
You were a crowd favourite at Chelsea, Gus, so what were you thinking when you put in a transfer request and joined Spurs?!
Richard Sammons, Deal
Look, I'm a Chelsea fan. I think the fans know how much I gave to the club. The thing was, when I was there, Chelsea had not lost to Spurs in a long time so I didn't see them as rivals; normally, the teams fans do not like are the teams they cannot beat! I had the chance to go to Liverpool but I was keen to stay in London. But after I played against Chelsea, I remember thinking, "Oh, what have I done?" I'm not making excuses, I just didn't realise. It was my fault and I need to accept that. Yes, I celebrated by the Chelsea bench when we beat them 5-1 in the League Cup, but that was purely for Ranieri. He was why I put in a transfer request and it was personal.
He's sure not winning me over with trying to smear it on Claudio. If he's a Chelsea fan as he claims to be then he had to realise who would really be hurt by his action. Is there even a turning back after kissing the cock? As a first step I think he should stop looking for excuses and take full responsibility.