LEICESTER, England (AP) — Claudio
Ranieri is sticking with Leicester's title-winning blueprint and said the club
won't be in the market for established, expensive talent to strengthen the
Premier League champions.
We
don't need the superstars," Ranieri said Tuesday, a day after the trophy
was clinched with two games to spare. "I want to improve the squad without
big stars, but the right players." With a squad that cost less than $80
million to assemble, Leicester completed one of the greatest transformations in
sporting history. From being relegation candidates and 5,000-1 outsiders for
the title, Leicester won the biggest prize in its 132-year history.
But it was achieved without the midweek demands of European soccer, which
Leicester will have next season after qualifying for the Champions League for
the first time. No wonder, Ranieri is significantly lowering expectations for
next season.
"For us it is important to stay in
the 10th position around there and try to fight to go into Europe,"
Ranieri said at Leicester's modest training ground. Leicester's eye for
bargains has won admirers throughout the game.
Top-scorer Jamie Vardy was talent
spotted while playing outside England's four professional leagues four years
ago. The striker's 22 goals this season saw him voted player of the year by the
Football Writers' Association this week.
Riyad Mahrez, who has scored 17 goals
and provided 11 assists in the title charge, won the same accolade in a vote by
his fellow professionals. The Algeria winger was an unknown when he joined
Leicester two years ago from second-tier French side Le Havre for less than
500,000 pounds (then about $820,000).
Ranieri's biggest task in the summer
transfer window could be keeping hold of his players while trying to avoid
upsetting the balance of his squad with new recruits. "It is too early to
say we need five, six, seven or eight players," Ranieri said. "If one
of my players says to me I want to go ... I try to keep him. I suggest to
everybody this is a fantastic club.
"We won the title. We can do
something good in our few years. If you go away, you don't know what happens,
here you are the king ... it is much better to stay here one year more and look
what happens. Then maybe you can go anywhere."
Although wealthier rivals could offer
Leicester's stars bigger salaries, the central England club appears to offer
more stability for now at a time when Chelsea — and potentially Manchester
United — will be out of the Champions League next season.
"The Champions League is another
important league to compare yourself to the other champions," Ranieri said
in a public message to his players. "Maybe you change team and go in the
big teams, maybe you don't start very well and stay outside the first eleven,
you slow down.
"It is important to choose very
well for the lads because now, for me as well, the lads are my sons. If they
come to me I say this, 'Be careful.' Leicester in the long-term will go in a
very high position."
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