“I am very curious, all the world is curious, what will happen with Leicester”.
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“I think our target now is to be safe, this is our goal – 40 points again”. We can’t repeat it, of course we try and we defend very strongly our trophy but there are big teams now that last season, I don’t know why, made mistakes and now they have to win because they are used to winning and have spent a lot of money. He led the Foxes to their first English top-flight title as they stunned the Premier League’s established elite. It is easier ET comes to Piccadilly Circus!
Ranieri lost midfield enforcer N’Golo Kante to Chelsea earlier in the close season but said there had been no approaches for influential Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez, whose future has been the subject of intense speculation.
Although he might not get as much acclaim as his peers, we, for one, believe the diminutive Dane can be a menace for the opposing defenders as he goes about his duties, with defenders realising what has hit them only after the move has been completed. Most British bookmakers make the teams the two favorites for the title this season.
“Of course, the big teams are ready to fight for the title, we are ready to defend our title, but we know it is a hard gap”.
“The challenge now is there but we are to do the same – show our power, our strength, our solidarity. It’s important to forget last season and build our squad”.
Ranieri also insisted he had not heard of any interest in Riyad Mahrez, including from Arsenal. “We must enjoy our experience in the Champions League but also fight”.
Hull have endured a hard summer, failing to add to their squad since earning promotion back to the Premier League in May and also losing manager Steve Bruce, with Mike Phelan now in temporary control.
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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. ‘Yes, ‘ he replied before adding: ‘But sometimes the manager says one thing and does another thing’.
