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Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has work to do this summer

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has work to do this summer

Leicester lost French international N’Golo Kante to Chelsea on Saturday in a £32million deal.

The 25-year-old defensive midfielder was one of the stars of last season in the Foxes surprise title-winning campaign. Kante only arrived in the Midlands from Caen in his homeland for a fee of around £5.6million last summer.

He quickly enhanced his reputation and by the end of the campaign, he was regarded as one of the best midfield enforcers in Europe. Speculation over a move was inevitable and a move to a more high-profile club was always highly possible.

Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri prepared for Kante leaving by signing a straight replacement in the shape of Nampalys Mendy from French club Nice for £13million. The 24-year-old has big shoes to fit in Kante’s.

However, just like the new Chelsea star Mendy has also been compared to former-French international midfielder Claude Makelele, because of his build and his style of play.

Leicester have managed to keep hold of star striker Jamie Vardy but lost Kante. It seems that Algerian international Riyad Mahrez could also quit the club after it was reported that he turned down a new contract at the King Power Stadium.

Losing Kante and Mahrez would be a major blow to the Foxes chances of success next season. Leicester boss Ranieri has been shrewd in the transfer market in the past and the Italian has already been busy in the transfer market bringing in four players this summer.

It would be incredible if the Foxes could mount a serious Premier League title bid again next season. However, after losing Kante one of their star players from last season it seems it could be a big ask of the Foxes.

Premier League
OVERALL TABLE PTS GP W D L +/-
1
Arsenal 77 34 24 5 5 56
2
Manchester City 76 33 23 7 3 48
3
Liverpool 74 34 22 8 4 41
4
Aston Villa 66 34 20 6 8 21
5
Tottenham 60 32 18 6 8 16
6
Manchester United 53 33 16 5 12 1
7
Newcastle United 50 33 15 5 13 15
8
West Ham 48 34 13 9 12 -9
9
Chelsea 47 32 13 8 11 4
10
Bournemouth 45 34 12 9 13 -11
11
Brighton 44 33 11 11 11 -2
12
Wolverhampton 43 34 12 7 15 -8
13
Fulham 42 34 12 6 16 -4
14
Crystal Palace 39 34 10 9 15 -12
15
Brentford 35 34 9 8 17 -7
16
Everton 33 34 11 8 15 -12
17
Nottingham Forest 26 34 7 9 18 -18
18
Luton Town 25 34 6 7 21 -28
19
Burnley 23 34 5 8 21 -32
20
Sheffield United 16 34 3 7 24 -59

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