Leicester City

Claudio Ranieri plays down N'Golo Kante loss

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 06 August 2016

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri insists that his side can cope with the loss of N'Golo Kante following his summer switch to Chelsea.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has insisted that his side can cope without N'Golo Kante this season.

The French midfielder was one of Leicester's star performers on their way to the Premier League title last term, but left in a £30m deal to join Chelsea this summer.

The Foxes have brought in Nampalys Mendy as a replacement, and Ranieri is confident that they can make up for the loss of Kante.

"It's difficult to say how big the hole is. It was the same last season when we lost [Esteban] Cambiasso. We also lost Matty James [to injury]," he told reporters.

"They were the two normal midfielders and we lost both. We found the solution. Now we have to restart and watch how we manage to play without Kante. We are okay here. I'm very happy with this team."

Leicester, who take on Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday, will begin their Premier League title defence away to Hull City next weekend.