Ranieri is preparing his players for the defence of their Premier League crown, which begins with a trip to Hull City on Saturday, and he is satisfied with the players he now has at his disposal.
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The Italian expects Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City to mount strong challenges after they all faltered last season.
Asked if he could envisage Leicester winning it again, he quipped: “It’s impossible, there is more chance of E.T. landing in Piccadilly Circus!”
“Everything is different. We have to be clever to repeat (last season’s triumph)”. I say “hey keep going, we have to improve”.
“I’m very curious about this season”. I think this should also be a high scoring game so I think that we are better off taking the over 2.5 goals if betting on the goal line is something of interest.
Ranieri, who has penned a new deal until 2020, explained: “The big teams will be back this season”. “We are ready to defend our title but we know it is a different gap”.
Ranieri also reiterated PFA player of the year Riyad Mahrez will not be sold by the Foxes this summer.
“No. Could I know who is interested in Mahrez?”
“Riyad will stay with us”, Ranieri said. (Arsenal?) No. Riyad stay with us.
He has a settled, cohesive group, which is more than many clubs can say, and even with the added Champions League requirements, it is hard to imagine Leicester will go quietly into the night. “It is important to be focused in your job”.
Ranieri reported a clean bill of health ahead of the trip to the KC Stadium, where Ahmed Musa, Nampalys Mendy and Bartosz Kapustka will all be in contention to make their competitive debuts. Tell me if there is one.
“They can not make a mistake another year, they lost one season in the life of these big teams”.
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“He is in good form, believe me, in the training session he is the same. You don’t understand? Let’s play 10 matches then you see”. When there is all this attention around your name, it’s because you are doing well. “He’s a lucky man”.
