Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has urged his star players to resist a move to a bigger club this summer.
After helping Leicester win the Premier League title this season, players such as Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy and N’Golo Kante could all be the subject of bids from sides across Europe in the coming months.
But with the Foxes able to look forward to Champions League football next term, Ranieri believes the key members of his squad should opt to remain at the King Power Stadium for at least another season.
“I’m very, very confident [they will stay],” he told a news conference on Thursday.
“I suggest to all my players stay one year more. Don’t go. If you go to another team, you might not get on the pitch.”
While Ranieri does not want to see any high-profile exits from the club this summer, he also reiterated that he is not seeking any big-name signings either, as he does not want to affect the team spirit he has fostered since his arrival.
“I don’t want the big names here, I don’t want to break my dressing room — my lads are special,” he said.
“We want to buy some good players, but who arrives must have the same spirit.”
Ranieri also insisted that he will be going nowhere this summer after being asked whether he was planning to leave the club on a high.
“You’re crazy! I like to joke but I am not crazy,” he said.
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