Carlo Cudicini says Leicester are the people's choice to win Premier League

Claudio Ranieri's 'unbelievable' work has everyone rooting for Leicester to win the title, according to one of his former players.

The Foxes are top of the Premier League table, two points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham and Arsenal, with 12 games remaining this season.

And former goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini - who played under Ranieri at Chelsea - says his Italian compatriot has 'transformed' a side that were rooted at the bottom of the table this time last year.

Cudicini told Sky Sports: "Claudio Ranieri? Wow. Who hasn't been impressed with what he has done this season?

"He's done a fantastic job by transforming a team that almost went down last year into one that is challenging for the title. 

"It is crazy what is happening at Leicester. The team is fantastic.

"But you cannot understate the work he is doing. It is absolutely unbelievable and I guess everyone in the country is supporting Leicester."

Ranieri's spell at Chelsea lasted a little less than four years before the Italian made way for Jose Mourinho, 11 months after Roman Abramovich's purchase of the club.

The 64-year-old went on to manage clubs including Valencia, Juventus and Roma but Cudicini says Ranieri's first taste of English football has proved invaluable.

"You must not forget he is a manager with fantastic experience. He's managed in Spain, Italy and England and he has managed some really important clubs.

"He has great experience and I think his years managing here at Chelsea were very important in helping him to understand English football. It has made things much easier for him now.

I cannot put my finger exactly on what he is doing right but whatever it is, it is definitely working.

"I cannot put my finger exactly on what he is doing right but whatever it is, it is definitely working. I'm really pleased he is doing so well at Leicester."

Cudicini, who is currently undertaking his coaching badges with the Irish Football Association, is a club ambassador for Chelsea, where he spent almost 10 years making 191 appearances for the club.

He was speaking at a star-studded fundraising dinner hosted at Stamford Bridge for the inclusion and diversity campaign Kick It Out, attended by guests including FA chief executive Martin Glenn, Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo and former Arsenal chairman David Dein.

"It has been a great night.," Cudicini added. "It was good to see a lot of old faces and it's been great to increase my own awareness of what is going on.

"This is a really good cause and it is great that I am able to support the work that Kick It Out are doing."