Leicester City are topping the standings in the English first flight at the moment with 35 points, but, Claudio Ranieri is well aware of the fact that a very difficult task lies ahead of him with his team going to take on some of the big forces in the tournament in the coming weeks.
Post registering another win in the League this weekend at the Liberty Stadium, the Foxes boss said, “The most vital phase begins now. It’s going to be quite interesting from here on in. We are taking on the big boys and it will be a test of character. We will have to show great determination and defiance.”
Ranieri also dismissed the reports that the Vardy-Mahrez duo, which has been so impressive and has played key part in almost every Leicester win so far, might be leaving in the winter transfers as there will be some lucrative offers for them from top clubs. The fact that punters have been backing Vardy to move to one of the Big Four in the January transfer window (it’s currently one of the most popular bet for fans using their free bets) shows that many football fanatic see it differently to Ranieri.
In the words of the Italian, “People would always be speculating, but, we are not bothered about that. The players that you are talking about here, James and Riyad, I can assure you that both of them are hundred percent committed to the club. They actually have no reason at the moment to contemplate making a move to somewhere else. Leicester City is the league topper. Why to go?”
When asked particularly about the performances of Mahrez, who is the second highest goal scorer for the team in the ongoing season after Vardy with 10 strikes to his name, Ranieri said, “He has shown creativity in his game and has played fantastically well, has won matches for us. All the praise he is getting, it is well deserved.”
Leicester played Chelsea on 14th of December, and came away with all three points, after superb performances by Mahrez and Vardy.