Leagues: EPL

Claudio Ranieri says Riyad Mahrez is 'not for sale' at any price

Riyad_Mahrez

Claudio Ranieri believes Riyad Mahrez is priceless to Leicester after the winger’s stunning form.

Algeria international Mahrez has scored four goals in his first three games this season to propel Leicester among the early-season pace-setters.

They are joint second in the Barclays Premier League ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Bury in the Capital One Cup second round.

Mahrez joined from Le Harve in 2014 and signed a new four-year contract in August, and ahead of the closure of the transfer window next week, Ranieri insisted Leicester will never be tempted to cash in.

“We don’t sell him so there is no price,” he said. “We won’t sell him so it’s much better if they (other clubs) don’t ask.

“I look at Riyad when we don’t have the ball, I’m trying to help him become the complete player, that is my job.

“I want to improve him in the offensive line. He is improving every day, it’s important for him because he can get better. He’s young and only 24.”

The Foxes are unbeaten ahead of their trip to Gigg Lane with Ranieri expected to make wholesale changes from the side which drew 1-1 with Tottenham at the weekend.

Ex-Napoli midfielder Gokhan Inler will make his full debut after coming off the bench on Saturday while Mark Schwarzer is set to replace Kasper Schmeichel in goal.

SEE MORE: Leicester complete £5 million signing of Napoli defender Gokhan Inler.

Ranieri said: “It’s very important to be unbeaten. I show my players what is not good and they understand what the fault is.

“When we concede a goal I want to ask what happened. I want to see my players fight in every moment of the match.”

Meanwhile, Ranieri would not be drawn on talk linking him with FC Copenhagen defender Daniel Amartey.

He added: “I don’t want to speak about speculation, at this moment I prefer to speak about my players not the other players.”

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