Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 7y

Chelsea must face tough tests ahead before title is won - Claudio Ranieri

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has praised Antonio Conte for his work at Chelsea, but warned that the hard part has yet to come.

Conte is on course to replicate his compatriot's title-winning success last season, with Chelsea eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

And after picking up another award for his remarkable achievement, Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia: "I'm very happy for Antonio, who has done really well because it's not easy to win when you have got big-name players.

"He's managed to give all these champions a common idea, and he deserves to be top.

"It's not going to be a walk in the park. Last season, we found continuity when all the big clubs were failing. This year, all the top teams are doing well so it's going to be hard to win the title.

"I hope Chelsea win, for Conte and because they were my first club in England."

Ranieri picked up the Gianni Brera award at a ceremony in Milan but, with his Foxes struggling and dangerously close to the relegation zone, he said: "I would prefer fewer awards and more points.

"Last year was incredible and the team gave 120 percent for a result that nobody expected, and we are paying for it now.

"We expected it to be difficult. Now the big clubs have found their consistency again and normality has returned.

"We need to focus on reaching our objective of 40 points and survival as quickly as we can."

^ Back to Top ^