Di Canio advised Ranieri to buy Cole

"I want to build a spirit for the group because you can have all the best players in the world but if you do not have a group you cannot win. This is my target and then I want to see if we can close the gap between us and Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool."

Although Veron had his moments at Manchester United the overall impression was of a player who had failed to justify the huge amount of money spent on him. Ranieri said: "I did not see Sebastian in all the matches (for Manchester United) but for me he is a top-class player and I am sure he will play better with us. I gamble".

Veron shrugged off Ranieri's estimate of his abilities but was happy to lavish praise on Cole, whom he labelled the "best player in England".

Responding to the manager's claims that he had signed the best midfielder in the world, the Argentina international said through an interpreter: "It's exaggerating a little, but it's a very big motivation and I'll prove that to the boss. I had good games, bad games and exceptional games (at United).

"Italian football and English football are very different and perhaps that's what caused a change in my game."

Cole admitted leaving relegated West Ham was the "hardest decision of his life." The 21-yearold said: "It was very emotional - I'd been with the Hammers since I was a baby. But even if West Ham hadn't been relegated I wouldn't have stayed. The time was right to move on and win things with another club."