'I'll axe Mahrez if his head is turned'

Claudio Ranieri has warned Riyad Mahrez that any thoughts about joining Barcelona before the season finishes will see him dropped to the bench.

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London - Claudio Ranieri has warned Riyad Mahrez that any thoughts about joining Barcelona before the season finishes will see him dropped to the bench.

Mahrez, a front-runner for player of the season, has been linked to the Spanish giants following his stellar performances in scoring 14 Premier League goals and providing 10 assists.

A new contract to raise his £35,000-a-week wages significantly is in the pipeline and Ranieri believes qualifying for the Champions League will strengthen Leicester’s position. However, the Italian has made it clear he is prepared to drop the 25-year-old should his head be turned.

‘If Riyad plays as well as Riyad can, he continues to play,’ said Ranieri. ‘When I see Riyad think about other teams he comes with me on the bench.’

‘Of course (Champions League qualification) makes it easier to keep him. If I am Riyad I say, “There are a lot of teams who want me, OK, I have to show more if I want to go there. I have to show my best, because if I should do my best maybe they want to buy me”.

‘We want to keep all our players. We believe in them. But if a player comes to me and says, “Boss, I want to go there because it’s my ambition to go there”, I’ll say, “Go and enjoy and have good luck”.

‘Because I want only players who are happy to stay here.’

N’Golo Kante is also sure to be the subject of serious interest in the summer but Ranieri said: ‘I’m very convinced that Kante will stay with us.’

Kante has been one of the league’s best players following his £5.6million summer move from Caen and France manager Didier Deschamps is considering a first international call-up for the 24-year-old next month.

‘In my opinion Kante is ready,’ said Ranieri. ‘In their three midfielders, he can play.’

Daily Mail