“He called me, I don’t remember, maybe one month or two months ago”, said Ranieri, who has known his compatriot since meeting him backstage at a concert at Wembley years ago.
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“It is too early to see how that is going to develop”. It gives us 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years of being able to say: ‘Leicester 2016. Of course I told you we go step by step.
The industrious midfielder graduated from Manchester United’s academy, but left the club to join Leicester City in 2012 in search of first-team opportunities.
Not that Ranieri can begrudge the players and the fans to enjoy the occasion. I’ve received letters from Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil – everywhere “Leicester, Leicester, what a legend”.
And while the Premier League’s TV deal and a seat at Europe’s top table makes the Foxes a more attractive proposition for players, Ranieri says he’s not interested in “big names”. It is much better to stay here one year more and look what happens. “I want to thank all my players, staff, the chairman and the fans, They were fantastic”.
Ranieri said: “It was hard for us having him missing but Leo Ulloa came in and did a great job”.
The Foxes defied the 5,000-1 odds when they were crowned Premier League champions on Monday, after nearest rivals Tottenham drew 2-2 at Chelsea.
Fans packed into the Local Hero pub in Leicester’s Aylestone Road, near the club’s King Power Stadium and erupted into cheers as soon as the title was confirmed.
The 32-year-old center back was released by Notts County as a youngster and also had to start again in the non-leagues.
Claudio Ranieri’s men have sealed the title with two games to spare but will still be looking to win their final home game of the campaign here. I came from non-league, from amateur football, and when I arrived at Cagliari, in the Third Division, and we got to Serie A, that was my first fairytale.
Everton have lost just three of their last 18 Premier League away matches (W6 D9 L3), but haven’t won any of their last four (D2 L2).
Wes Morgan, Leicester’s captain, was filmed being spun around the kitchen floor while jubilant teammates danced around him, savoring one of the greatest-ever sporting stories.
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“I can’t quite believe it”. I said: ‘Great, why not?’
