Monday 15 May 2017 07:57, UK
Craig Shakespeare has insisted that Riyad Mahrez will be appreciated at Leicester as the forward considers his future at the club.
Mahrez told Sky Sports last week that he is not sure whether he will still be at the club next season, after admitting he wanted to leave last summer.
Leicester boss Shakespeare has insisted any reports about Mahrez, or any other player, leaving is "pure speculation" but does admit the club needs to make him feel wanted.
"We don't need to pander to everybody's needs," he said ahead of their penultimate game of the season at home to Tottenham, live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Thursday.
"But they need to know they are wanted at a football club and appreciated. Riyad is one of many who, if you ask him, feels appreciated and wanted here, not only by the coaching staff and the owners and the fans but also by the players as well.
"There is always going to be speculation because they are good players. They are under contract with us. Everything else is pure speculation.
"You don't have a decision to make unless you get an offer, and we haven't had an offer for any one of our players."
Shakespeare, who is hoping to take the Leicester job forward beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the campaign, has also revealed that Mahrez has been low on confidence this term.
"You have to support them when they go through these little moments of self doubt," he said.
"With Riyad, he's probably more self-critical than anybody realises. There are moments this season when he's found it difficult to get the form that he showed last season.
"But he's showed glimpses of it and we have to show that we believe in him. He has that belief from us, and that will turn."
