Ranieri: Leicester players hungry for more

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insists his squad are not prepared to rest on their laurels this season and are hungry for more success.

The Foxes surprised everyone last season as they stormed to a deserved Premier League crown and the Italian insists that his squad are determined to press on to more success this term.

Speaking after the announcement that he has signed a new four-year deal that will kepp him at the King Power Stadium until 2020, Ranieri said: "Nobody expected us to win the title but now we forget the title and continue to build a team, club, everything.

"Of course it is more difficult. We can't repeat it, of course we try and we defend very strongly our trophy but there are big teams now that last season, I don't know why, made mistakes and now they have to win because they are used to winning and have spent a lot of money.

"The challenge now is there but we are to do the same - show our power, our strength, our solidarity. We play together and then if the result is a little lucky we can do something special again this year.

"I watch very well the match against Manchester United and we still have the same hunger, same humility, same passion. Of course also you need to be a little lucky but to be a little lucky you must also be strong - stronger than the match against United.

"This is my idea about football. If you give everything and don't achieve then you must work harder.

"I know at the beginning it will be really hard because we have to forget the last season. We have to restart everything.

"I think our target now is to be safe, this is our goal - 40 points again. It is very important. After that our dream is to get to the knock-out in the Champions League, if it is possible. If not then Europa League. We must enjoy our experience in the Champions League but also fight."

Leicester begin their campaign at Hull at lunchtime on Saturday.

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