Ranieri tips Vardy for call-up
LONDON: Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has tipped “warrior” forward Jamie Vardy to be called up for England’s European Championship qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland next month.
England manager Roy Hodgson is due to name his squad on Sunday and Ranieri said 28-year-old Vardy, who has made one appearance for the national side in June, would add to the fighting spirit in the England set-up.
“Jamie is positive, he is a warrior, every ball could be the best ball. He never gives up and I love this kind of player,” the 63-year-old Italian was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“Anything can happen, Jamie attacks and breaks the line all the time and it’s very good for us.
“When some international coaches call my players up it means we’re doing a good job,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ranieri cannot put a price on Riyad Mahrez, the midfielder who has emerged as the Premier League’s leading scorer after three matches.
The Algeria international has four goals to his name — the same number as he scored in 30 appearances last season.
“Riyad Mahrez is worth nothing because we don’t sell him,” Ranieri said.
“There is no price for him. We don’t want to sell him.
“I try to help Mahrez to be a complete player. I want to help him improve defensively. I think he can get better, he’s young.”
Mahrez, 24, signed from Le Havre in January 2014, has scored in each of Leicester’s three league games so far, helping them take seven points.
They are second in the table after being tipped by many pundits as relegation material.