Football managers have an uncanny knack of utilising oddly risible metaphors and analogies when discussing the lovely game but, in describing his side’s chances of retaining the Premier League title, Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has broken that particular mould.
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Claudio Ranieri believes that amiable alien ET is more likely to appear in London than Leicester City defending their Premier League crown.
“Of course they are stronger because they can’t make a mistake another year”, said the 64-year-old Italian, whose side finished 10 points clear of second-place Arsenal in May.
“It is more hard than last season”.
We have put together a selection of some of the best Premier League opening day goals and want you to vote for your favourite. I think the bookmakers have to make it 6,000-1 now.
“I’m very curious about this season”.
Leicester begins the season away to Hull on Saturday, having retained all of its major players over the offseason except N’Golo Kante. Mahrez has also been linked with Chelsea and Barcelona but Leicester have previously indicated that it would take a bid well in excess of £50 million to persuade them to sell.
This message was heavily maintained by Ranieri throughout last season even when the Premier League trophy was within touching distance. The big teams will be back, I am sure. When the Foxes surpassed the manager’s 40 point target before the end of the calendar year, he simply just doubled his expectation.
Following an ultimately deflating European Championships and the ongoing, unprecedentedly frivolous transfer window, it is easy to forget that three months have not yet passed since Leicester City pulled off the greatest upset in the history of English football.
“They lost one season and in the life of those big teams that can happen but, altogether, it only happens once in lifetime”. He said: ‘I don’t know, who is interested? Tell me if there is one.
The boss said: “Riyad will stay with us”.
The Champions League will be a phenomenal experience, but balancing Europe’s premier European competition with the demands of the Premier League could prove tricky. When there is all this attention around your name it’s because you are doing well.
Ranieri also joked that he will not let Mahrez, who scored 18 goals last season, leave.
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“The speculation is normal, he is a big player and he needs to feel there are other teams and managers who want him”.
