Claudio Ranieri: ‘Riyad Mahrez wants to stay at Leicester City’

Leicester are finally beginning to receive credit for the defensive model Claudio Ranieri has installed.

Along with striker Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez is one of the players grabbing all the limelight at surprise Premier League table toppers Leicester City.

“I don’t think Leicester want to sell him and he is focused on doing well with them”.

Can Leicester win EPL title? They are very close to each other. “We are like Forrest Gump” the colourful Italian said.

Oliver Kay of The Times notes: “The Arsenal teams who saw title challenges collapse over the past decade always lacked experience, maturity, leadership and emotional control”. And this is a good thing. The bottom clubs can beat the top teams. If there is one year that’s odd… OK.

The situation at Leicester City could scarcely be more different from previous year and Claudio Ranieri is enjoying the ride. Leicester will be desperate to keep both of them on their books despite interest from a number of Europe’s elite clubs.

Man United’s very bad form carried on last weekend when they were beaten at home by Norwich, and Louis van Gaal is now under serious pressure. It is stupid if we have pressure. Why? “When the manager and the players make the fans happy then this is fantastic”. But if we lose that is normal. “Why can’t we continue to run, run, run?” You have to go all the way back to 2001 to find the last time a team outside the traditional top four of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as new giants Manchester City were No. 1 at this point.

King says Leicester’s reaction to the defeat to Arsenal shows the strength of character within the squad and demonstrates why those who write them off are wrong.

“I am very proud for my players and for my fans”. It doesn’t mean they will come or that I have already called them. It’s like a climber. If you look below you think ‘Ah, my God!’

Meanwhile, Ranieri has told Riyad Mahrez he must learn to deal with the spotlight and speculation.

The controversial Spain worldwide could well play a key role against Watford, and he may prove to be a shrewd addition to your team.

“I hope to be Father Christmas”.