“The energy that exists at this club – from the owners and the staff, to the players and supporters – is something very special”.
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It could take time for Guardiola to forge his own team but he knows City must hit the ground running after failing to live up to their billing as favourites last season. “I am very happy and proud that I will be part of it for years to come”.
Ranieri has hit back at reports by claiming that Mahrez wants to stay at the Premier League champions and his impact can not be overestimated.
The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all invested heavily in a bid to reassert themselves as a Premier League force, and Ranieri insists those sides have no other choice but to deliver.
Leicester’s versatile midfielder Daniel Amartey, 21, will hopefully be able to fill in for Kante if Leicester hopes to mount another title run.
He will want to begin his reign with victory at Bournemouth on Sunday when he may hand a second United debut to world record 89 million-pound ($115.75 million) signing Paul Pogba.
Speaking to Sky Sports News at the Premier League launch in London, the Italian said: “Nobody expected us to win the title but now we forget the title and continue to build a team, club, everything”.
The Premier League is back this weekend, and looking ahead to the coming season, there are probably six teams who can be considered genuine title contenders, and a further two more in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Kante is the only leading Leicester player to have left the club this summer, for a big money move to Chelsea, and Ranieri knows that coping without him will not be easy. “It is important to start the season well after last season”.
With Kante moving on, Ranieri has turned to Mendy and Wales worldwide Andy King to fill the void.
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Retaining the services of England striker Jamie Vardy, who scored 24 league goals before rejecting the chance to join Arsenal in the close-season, ensures Leicester will retain their spiky edge.
