Claudio Ranieri would not stand in Kante’s way if he wants to leave
Midfielder Kante hinted while on international duty with France he was flattered about being linked with a move away after a stellar season.
He made his debut for France against Russia on Tuesday, scoring the opener in a 4-2 victory, on his 25th birthday.
Ranieri has always conceded he will not keep unhappy players at the shock Premier League leaders and while he hopes to keep Kante he would not stand in his way if he wanted to leave.
“I think he should rest here. He is working very well. But if some big teams arrive who give us a lot of big money, maybe we can think about it,” he said, ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Southampton.
“If he is not happy here and wants to go. I don’t want sad people here. I want happy people.
“He is always smiling. It is speculation and now our focus is on the pitch.”
Kante, who joined from Caen last summer, had previously said: “I will fight for Leicester this season, next season we never know and we will see.
“At this moment, I am focused on Leicester. We have to finish well this season but I don’t mind about (being linked with) the other clubs.”
Jeff Schlupp is a doubt for tomorrow’s game with a knee problem, while Saints and Ireland striker Shane Long is doubtful with a knee problem.
Ronald Koeman has laughed off Mauricio Pochettino’s comments that Southampton are still in the Barclays Premier League title race.
Koeman insists Southampton are only focused on securing European football.He said: “It is nice to hear that Southampton is one of the seven teams that are still fighting but I do not see it like that.
“In my opinion it is between Tottenham and Leicester.”
He added: “Everything is possible, it is all about us and if we keep the level and the spirit, we know we are fighting for European football, fifth and sixth position on the table not the first four teams.”
Southampton face the league leaders after an international break which saw the majority of Koeman’s players go abroad.
The Saints manager believes the club are still learning how to cope with the number of players they have representing their country.
Koeman said: “We had 17 players away, some players played a lot, some players did not play a lot.
“We play on Sunday, so I think that is good that we have one extra day for people who played a lot or travelled a lot.
“It is good to have the international players because it is good to develop themselves and to prepare for the European (Championships).”
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