Wednesday 10 February 2016 15:01, UK
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri is keen to ensure their impressive season is not a one-off, despite conceding they are "having a strange year".
The Foxes have been installed as Premier League title favourites after opening up a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table following last weekend's 3-1 victory at Manchester City.
They face another big test of their title credentials in a Super Sunday clash at third-placed Arsenal on Sunday, but Ranieri said his aims have not changed since his summer appointment at the King Power Stadium.
"When I signed, our objective was clear - to build this team, gradually bringing it to the top spots," Ranieri told Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
"We know we're having a strange year, we're doing well because the big teams haven't found their rhythm, but our plans won't change next year beyond what happens at the end of this season.
Vardy has a unique characteristic, he runs at 1,000 miles an hour and always at the same speed.
"We must continue to build to target, in the next three or four years, the top spots in the Premier League and fighting for the Europa League.
"If we do all this in advance in one year we mustn't applaud ourselves, next year we'll start again from scratch."
Asked about comparisons with the success of smaller clubs in Italy, Ranieri replied: "Are we like Foggia, Chievo and Empoli?
"It's a similar story for the feelings it provokes, but there isn't much of a comparison with the three Italian teams from a strictly football point of view.
"Foggia, Chievo and Empoli were built over time, while we were born immediately."
Leicester only just survived relegation last season after an incredible finish to their campaign in which they won seven of their closing nine matches under previous manager Nigel Pearson.
Ranieri was a surprise choice to succeed Pearson following his ill-fated spell in charge of the Greece national team but Leicester have lost only twice in the Premier League since his appointment.
Leicester have impressed as a unit but Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy have provided their main attacking threat, scoring 32 Premier League goals between them.
"This year Mahrez has given us incredible magic," added Ranieri. "Technically I don't know who he resembles, he has immense quality and is our reference point: when we need to create, we give the ball to him.
"Vardy on the other hand has a unique characteristic, he runs at 1,000 miles an hour and always at the same speed."
Watch Arsenal v Leicester City, the opening game of a Super Sunday triple bill. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 11:30am.
