Claudio Ranieri watched his Leicester City side move within five points of being confirmed as the Premier League champions and then acclaimed his players for a “fantastic answer” to the questions surrounding whether they could cope without Jamie Vardy.
Leicester’s 4-0 victory against Swansea City was their biggest of the season, moving them eight points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in second place, and a hugely satisfying day for Ranieri finished with him eulogising about the way his team had shown they could handle the pressure of the title run-in.
“It’s important because everybody wanted to see our answer without Jamie Vardy and that was a fantastic answer in my opinion,” Ranieri said. “We played well, very concentrated, and in a different way because without Jamie we had to change something. And we made a fantastic match. I’m not more optimistic because of this result, but I am optimistic.
“I am positive, I know it’s not easy because in my mind Tottenham will win all their four matches and we will need to get five points. It’s not easy but why be nervous? We have enjoyed all the season. We are having a fantastic season and we have achieved a lot already.
“Now there are only three matches left that we know are very important for our history and, for this reason, we will give everything. If it happens, it’s OK. If it doesn’t, congratulations to Tottenham. Tottenham have very good players but my players are also fantastic. We play with our heart and it’s difficult to beat someone who plays with heart and soul.”
Leicester are now waiting for the outcome of Spurs’ game against West Bromwich Albion on Monday night before embarking on their final three matches, taking in Manchester United at Old Trafford next weekend, then a home game against Everton and finally a trip to Chelsea. “We have to fight because we may never again have this fantastic moment,” Ranieri said.
“I told my players before the match: ‘We have had a dream so far, now make the dream reality. Now is the right moment to push everything ... everything!’ Then, [we will be] without regret if Tottenham are better than us.”
Riyad Mahrez opened the scoring for Leicester on a day when Leonardo Ulloa, taking the place of the suspended Vardy, scored twice. “I am very pleased with Leonardo,” Ranieri said. “Leonardo made a fantastic performance, he jumped, he scored two goals, he attacked, he defended. Well done. He was Leicester’s top scorer last season and he didn’t lose his quality.” Ranieri also praised the atmosphere inside a stadium where “Champions” scarves were being held up. “Unbelievable, unbelievable, unbelievable. I think our fans woke up from the dream and said: ‘We now have only one [more] match at home’ and they want to enjoy it with us and push with all their hearts. And we’re ready to fight until the end.”
Vardy’s disciplinary hearing with the Football Association takes place on Monday, when the England international is facing another one-match ban for his reaction to being sent off against West Ham.
If Leicester’s fears are confirmed, Vardy will miss their game in Manchester but Ranieri believes his team have shown now they can cope without their leading scorer.
“If Jamie takes another day off it’s important to be solid and even stronger than today. United is a very good team but we made a fantastic performance without Jamie.”
