Ranieri Refuses To Confirm Ndidi Deal, Backs Leicester To Recover

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has neither confirmed nor denied reports linking the club with Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi from Belgian club KRC Genk.

It has been reported that the reigning Premier League champions Leicester have agreed a £15m deal with Genk for the 19-year-old Super Eagles midfielder who has four international appearances.

The report also claims that Ndidi will sign a five-year contract and is expected to complete the move — subject to a successful medical and work permit application — in January.

But Ranieri whose side take on relegation battlers Sunderland in Saturday’s English Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light refused to confirm the news during his pre-match conference on Thursday.

“I can tell you it’s only speculation,” Ranieri said. “I don’t speak about players that go in and go out. We are looking everyday for all positions – not only one.”

Ranieri also insisted that his sides will be fearless when they face the Black Cats.

Leicester currently 14th in the English Premier League table are targeting their first win away from home, having won only three this season.

And the have Foxes have conceded 16 times in six away matches in 2016/17, the most of any Premier League team away from home. But Ranieri also predicted an open game on Saturday.

“(Nampalys) Mendy, (Ben) Chilwell go back to train with the first team. They are available. They don’t have 90 minutes yet but they are OK,” he added.

“Whenever we play we try to win. We know on Saturday Sunderland has a chance to win. It will be a fight for all the 90 minutes.

“They play so strong, defend well and deep. We both want to win so it will be an open match I think.
“We don’t look at the table with fear because Foxes are fearless.”

“Everybody is available but Kasper Schmeichel. They trained well, it’s an important game and we are ready.
“I hope Schmeichel will be ready before Christmas. It depends. Today I shook his [injured] hand – his right not his left hand.”

“It was a gentle handshake, not a Marcin Wasilewski one!

“Mendy and Chilwell, they are back and available.

“Papy Mendy is very close. He trained for one week without pain and will now improve his fitness. He is good.”

“We can’t be satisfied with what we are doing. We must be strong, fight and play together.”

Source: Complete Sports Nigeria