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Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri welcomes player speculation

Claudio Ranieri celebrates Leicester's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace
Image: Claudio Ranieri is happy to see his best players linked with moves

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri says he welcomes reports linking his players with top clubs around Europe.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be keeping tabs on winger Riyad Mahrez, while Jamie Vardy has been earning rave reviews across the continent.

Mahrez has scored seven goals in the Premier League while Vardy has 11, and the duo have been instrumental in Leicester's rise to third in the league table.

Ranieri said: "It's good because that means we have very good players. One week it's Vardy, the next week it's Mahrez but it is only speculation. 

"Riyad is very happy with us. He signed a new contract and the same with Jamie. It could affect him (Mahrez) at the beginning but he is intelligent. It's normal when players grow up, they hear about big clubs interested in them.

Leicester's Jamie Vardy (second left) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second and equalising goal during the match against Aston Villa
Image: Leicester's Jamie Vardy (2nd left) celebrates with Mahrez (right) during the 3-2 win against Aston Villa

"Riyad is young, he can improve, but we are very happy with Jamie and Riyad. We play good football but at the end you have to score. They score. They link very well together, and work hard for the team."

Ranieri has welcomed the news that Vardy, who has nine goals in his last eight league games, has been included in Roy Hodgson's squad for the forthcoming friendlies with Spain and France.

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Vardy played on the left wing in Lithuania last month but Ranieri insists he will not be telling the England manager where to play the in-form striker. 

Hodgson names his squad
Hodgson names his squad

Roy Hodgson has named a a 23-man squad.for the games against France and Spain

He said: "Jamie is an intelligent player. What Roy Hodgson asks of him, he tries to do the best for the team, for the England squad. He's not selfish. In my opinion he has to be free. When he's free, he's amazing.

"But we play with two strikers, not with one striker. I am not Roy. I respect him, his shape. For me in my team he plays free, forward."

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