PREMIERSHIP/Tottenham V Chelsea: Claudio Ranieri yesterday toasted his manager-of-the-month award but warned his players not to use continued uncertainty over his job as an excuse should they falter in Chelsea's biggest week of the season.
Manager Ranieri was left stunned last Saturday when a national newspaper printed photographs of Stamford Bridge chief executive Peter Kenyon meeting England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
However, within 24 hours Eriksson had announced he was to remain with England and had signed a new contract until 2008.
Ranieri kept his nerve and ended his rollercoaster week on a high when he was named Barclaycard manager of the month for March after Premiership wins over Bolton, Fulham and Wolves.
Ranieri confirmed he has held talks this week with Kenyon, who had warned a season without silverware would be regarded as a failure, and added: "I've won three trophies now. We won the Malaysia Cup last summer and I was manager of the month in September . . . so I've won the treble.
"I'm pleased with the new award and want to say thanks to my players as I've won this award because of them."
Despite this award, Ranieri's future remains uncertain and his team now enter the most crucial week of their campaign.
The Blues go into today's clash at Tottenham with the weight of expectation on their shoulders as Arsenal's involvement in today's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Villa Park means Chelsea could cut the Gunners' lead to just four points.
Ranieri's men then face Arsene Wenger's side at Highbury on Tuesday in the Champions League, needing victory to propel them to the semi-finals.
The Italian coach yesterday told his players not to even consider suggesting they were affected by his own position.
"I wasn't preoccupied by the speculation before. Speculation isn't important and would only be an excuse for my players. I don't want an excuse - I want to win.
"This is the crunch now. It's the moment like they have in Spain when the toreador enters the bullfighting arena.
"I spoke to my players this morning and said, 'We've got eight matches to go and 10 months ago we wanted to be in this position'.
"Everyone must show their hearts now and we must try to do our best. We must try to achieve something."
Ranieri, who disclosed talks will take places with Birmingham and their on-loan Chelsea striker Mikael Forssell at the end of the season, will be without Juan Sebastian Veron against Spurs, as the Argentinian is still not fully fit after his back injury.
Veron's compatriot Hernan Crespo has been passed fit, however, after returning from international action in midweek.
Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini (hand), right back Glen Johnson (ankle) and midfielder Emmanuel Petit (knee) are all still sidelined.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are considering signing Dutch international midfielder Mark Van Bommel.
"He is one of the players we might be thinking about in the summer," manager David Pleat said yesterday.
The 26-year-old PSV Eindhoven captain said he could choose between Bundesliga clubs Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund as well as Spurs.
Reports said he would hold transfer talks with Tottenham in the next few weeks.
Spurs will today try to end a winless streak of 27 league matches against Chelsea - the longest in the top flight. They last beat their north London rivals in February 1990, when they won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.
