Claudio Ranieri reveals why Wayne Rooney would not get in his Leicester team
LEICESTER boss Claudio Ranieri claims he would not swap Wayne Rooney for any of his title-winning stars.
Posted Friday, September 23, 2016 by Dailystar.co.uk
A series of poor displays have brought calls for Rooney to be dropped by Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho for tomorrow’s visit of champions Leicester.
And while Ranieri claimed the under-fire England and United captain remains an “amazing” player, he insisted he would not exchange any of his Foxes heroes for Rooney.
When pressed on whether Rooney would make his team, Ranieri said: “He is an amazing player. He’s a champion.
"I love my players, and I wouldn’t change my players with anybody else. I’m very pleased with them and we think we can have a very good season.”
Mourinho handed Rooney the chance to boost his flagging goal scoring statistics by selecting him as a central striker in the EFL Cup against League One Northampton on Wednesday night.
But Rooney, who has operated to little effect in a variety of midfield position for club and country of late, blew his chance with United needing goals from Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford to down the Cobblers.
Mourinho must decide whether the time has come to relegate Rooney to the bench against a Leicester side whose strikeforce is already up and running.
Ranieri saw £30m record signing Islam Slimani mark his Premier League debut with two goals against Burnley last week alongside Jamie Vardy, who hit 24 last season.
Playmaker Riyad Mahrez also returned to form against the Clarets and Ranieri said: “I am very excited but it is important they understand the team comes before them. Before their ego there is the team.”
NO CHANCE: Ranieri opened up on Rooney
Former United trainee Danny Drinkwater has been linked this week with a return to the club in January.
Ranieri played down the rumour but claimed the England man should be flattered.
"He signed a new contract and everything is normal but for us and for him this is good,” said Ranieri.
"I have players who a lot of big teams want, and that makes me happy, because it means we are working very well.”
Leicester are sweating on Kasper Schmeichel’s fitness after the goalkeeper left training early yesterday after suffering a muscle strain.
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