Ranieri: Mahrez can lead Leicester to the Premier League title in Vardy's absence - 7M sport

Ranieri: Mahrez can lead Leicester to the Premier League title in Vardy's absence

RIYAD MAHREZ is the favourite to be crowned PFA Player of the Year this evening and add another layer of lustre to Leicester’s fabulous season.


Posted Sunday, April 24, 2016 by Express.co.uk

Ranieri: Mahrez can lead Leicester to the Premier League title in Vardy's absence
Riyad Mahrez has contributed 16 goals and 11 assists to Leicester City's Premier League title charge

The Foxes will require their Algerian star to recapture his magic a few hours earlier, in this afternoon’s crucial match against Swansea, if they are to remain Premier League title favourites.

With striker Jamie Vardy out suspended, there will be extra focus on Mahrez to rediscover the form that has also made him a potential transfer target for Barcelona.

A total of 16 goals and 11 assists is why Mahrez heads the PFA shortlist – and why he has been pivotal to Leicester’s fairytale success.

But in the last nine matches there have been just two goals and one assist. The winger has looked quiet in recent weeks, but manager Claudio Ranieri made a staunch defence of his star player as he prepared for tomorrow afternoon’s match, in which victory is vital to maintain the five-point gap ahead of second-placed Tottenham.

"I am very happy with him,” said Ranieri, who was in animated form at the end of a week in which Leicester clinched automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League.

"If you see what Riyad does, it is fantastic. Every time he touches the ball it is a great pass.

"He has good form but now everybody knows him and they want to stop him. It is harder for him now but he is a very clever player.

"If you remember who made the right pass to N’Golo Kante to start the counter-attack for the first goal against West Ham last weekend, it was Riyad.

"Only Riyad has the key to open the defensive line. It is fantastic. Maybe he doesn’t shoot fantastic now, but when he passes look what happens.

"Riyad is our light. When he switches on we change colour.”

Two wins and two draws from their final four matches will guarantee the Premier League title for Leicester, but the initial conundrum for Ranieri is how to set up his team in the absence of top scorer Vardy, who has started every previous match.

After weeks and weeks of picking the same side, the manager famously dubbed ‘The Tinkerman’ when he continually changed his Chelsea team must do a little meddling now.

"Don’t worry, I still have the flag as The Tinkerman,” said the veteran Italian, with a trademark twinkle in his eye.

"I can play 4-3-3 against Swansea and then maybe we need only one striker. Or maybe I will play 3-5-2. I am Tinkerman – be careful.”

The title is now between Leicester and Spurs, and the latter’s astute young manager Mauricio Pochettino has been trying a few mind-games.

Ranieri is not minded to join in. Asked if he had a message for his Spurs counterpart, he smiled and said: “Wait. Yes, wait one year. But seriously, the best will win. That’s it. If it happens for us – fireworks. If Spurs win, I will say congratulations.

"There is no pressure from Spurs. The pressure is not from behind. It is always at the top. I love being five points ahead.”

The Leicester boss also revealed he has been able to stay calm amid the rising clamour.

"Am I nervous? No,” he said. “Why should I be? Look at me. When I am nervous you will see. I am very transparent. My face will show it.  I am very relaxed. I have never been nervous this season.”

That was clear in his measured response to the manic celebrations last weekend when Leonardo Ulloa scored a last-gasp penalty to earn a 2-2 draw with West Ham:

"There is a reason,” said Ranieri. “But I tell you at the end of the season.”

Perhaps he doesn’t want to tempt fate. Ranieri has been a runner-up four times across the major leagues of Europe, with Chelsea, Roma, Juventus and Monaco. The Italian believes this will be different. He says he has “24 Caesars” in his squad and that there is a unique spirit about the Leicester fairytale.

"I believe when you make something exceptional, there is a pyramid behind a strong club,” he said. “The manager, the staff, the players, the owners, the supporters – this is a fantastic club. I have been around the world, and when I say this is a fantastic club it is a fantastic club.

"What we have achieved already in reaching the Champions League is incredible. I am very proud and very happy. Now we must push to win the title.”



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