Leicester to resist all offers for Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, Claudio Ranieri insists following Chelsea win

The pair have been linked with exits in the January transfer window

Mark Ogden
Tuesday 15 December 2015 00:10 GMT
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(2015 Getty Images)

Claudio Ranieri insisted that Leicester City will resist all offers for Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez next month after the pair combined to take the club to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 victory against Chelsea.

With the January transfer window due to open on New Year’s Day, the stunning performances by Vardy and Mahrez this season have raised the prospect of bids from rival clubs.

But Leicester manager Ranieri ruled out any prospect of the two players being sold.

"No-one can buy Vardy or Mahrez in January," Ranieri said. "They don't have the money and they don't have a price.

“Why should I name a price? If I say this high, somebody might add one, so no, I will not do that.

“But nobody can buy them.”

Leicester leapfrogged Arsenal and Manchester City – who visit the King Power Stadium on December 29 – to claim top spot.

And Ranieri admitting that Leicester’s supporters were ‘dreaming’ with their team’s incredible success.

“It is a dream for them,” Ranieri said. "There was a lot of electricity tonight, without that we are a normal team but with the fans pushing us we are very happy.

“They continue to dream but we must continue to keep our feet on the ground.

"I told my players, five more points and we are safe (from relegation). I think like this I put that target at the beginning of the season, when we achieve 40 points, we will change our goal.

"It's magical time we must continue to work hard because I don't want to wake up, I want to continue to dream with our fans."

Claudio Ranieri and Jose Mourinho (GETTY IMAGES)

Ranieri added: “When we play with pace and one or two touches and coordinate the movements they know very well, this is our strength.

“All the players believe in each other and help each other and only in this way can you win against big champions."

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