Ranieri: Leicester City must play without pressure

The Italian has led his side to the top of the table at Christmas to fuel supporters’ belief that they could lift the trophy in the biggest shock in Premier League history.

Ghana defender Jeffery Schlupp has been left speechless by the rising form of dynamic Leicester City duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. “We learn little by little”, said the Brazilian. The fans are dreaming and I don’t want to wake them up. However, it is very hard to imagine Leicester letting go of one of their star players mid-season when they are doing so well.

“When all the world are speaking about you, play”.

Ranieri has long stated 40 points as his first target for Premier League safety and that remains in his mind ahead of their next two games. “Liverpool have a very good manager”.

“I appreciate Jurgen Klopp a lot”.

Riyad Mahrez is likely to stay at Leicester for at least the rest of the season, with his agent doubting he will be sold in the January transfer window.

Leicester, who avoided going down in May thanks to a late run of victories under Nigel Pearson, began the season at odds of 1,000-1 to be top of the Premier League at Christmas.

“He will stay with us, he wants to stay with us”.

But Ranieri has no concerns he will lose the Algerian, telling reporters on Tuesday: “He wants to stay with us, we want to keep him and that’s it”.

“He has to improve and when he improves, he improves the team and when he improves the team, why would he want to leave?” And for him it is important to manage very well this stress.