Focused Leicester City ready for a title fight in 2016, declares Claudio Ranieri

Claudio Ranieri gave his Leicester stars permission to celebrate New Year’s Eve — provided they avoid a Bournemouth hangover.

Leicester go into 2016 second in the Barclays Premier League behind leaders Arsenal on goal difference after only just beating the drop last season.

They host the Cherries tomorrow and Ranieri trusted his players to see in the new year without damaging their title chances. “They can celebrate, they are very, very good professionals. It’s important to celebrate, to enjoy it, because it was a fantastic 2015 but afterwards we have to put our minds on Bournemouth,” he said.