Avoiding relegation was my aim, admits Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri’s primary objective this season was to avoid relegation after their narrow escape last year, he said in an interview as his team stand seven points clear in the Premier League.

The 64-year-old Italian, who has taken Leicester to within four wins of their first top-flight league title in his first season at the club, told US website The Players Tribune he could not have imagined what they have achieved.

He has also praised his players, calling top scorer Jamie Vardy “a fantastic horse” while saying French midfielder N’Golo Kante was a player who appeared to have his own battery pack hidden in his shorts.