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Claudio Ranieri confirms, Riyad Mahrez will not leave the club

Bengaluru, July 24: Leicester City defeated Celtic yesterday (July 23) in a pre-season friendly game. Riyad Mahrez gave the reigning English Premier League champions the lead with a stunning goal.

Brendan Rodgers' Celtic soon equalised in the second half. Eventually Leicester had the last laugh after the fate of the match was decided on penalties.

Leicester’s team manager Claudio Ranieri (left) Leicester’s Christian Fuchs and Leicester’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel lift the trophy

The Foxes won the penalty shootout 6-5. After the game, addressing the media, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri confirmed that that their star player Riyad Mahrez is not leaving this summer.

Yesterday, (July 23) it was reported by several European media houses that Arsenal are all set to rope in the Algerian international for a hefty transfer fee.

Ranieri said: "Did you see how Riyad is happy? He played so well, worked so hard for the team, he scored a goal and he stays with us.

"It is very important [to keep him] he is one of our stars.

"Other teams maybe have more stars and maybe he doesn't play at the same level, because maybe is on the bench so it is much better he stays with me."

When asked if he was confident Mahrez would stay at Leicester, Ranieri opined: "I am always confident. Of course, we know that there are other teams that want to win the Premier League, we our just to defend.

"I am very happy. We have a very good dressing room, the players who have come in are good, there is a very good harmony and for us that was the first important thing.

"I am very happy today. We were concentrated and compact. Now we play two different sides in PSG and Barcelona.

"The players came back in good condition. We are getting better. Celtic's fitness is ahead of ours. It was a good challenge.

"We have a long journey to Los Angeles now, but the experience of playing in these fantastic matches is important.

"Our fans were fantastic. So many of them travelled a long way to Glasgow so I say thank you to them."

Riyad Mahrez had brilliant season last time as he scored 17 goals and 11 assists for the champion club and was also announced the Player of the Year in England.

OneIndia News

Story first published: Tuesday, August 8, 2017, 11:47 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 8, 2017