Bocelli to start the party on high note
The 57- year- old Italian rang Claudio Ranieri two months ago to offer his support in their race for the Premier League and the Leicester manager has helped facilitate a performance at the weekend.
The Foxes will receive the trophy following the match after they clinched the title on Monday, having been 5,000- 1 shots to win it at the start of the season.
Bocelli, inset below, has sold more than 80 million records including his biggest hit, ‘ Time to Say Goodbye’.
Ranieri said: “He will sing here. He called me one or two months ago. He was so happy about what we were doing in Leicester. He said, ‘ I would like to come and sing something’. I said, ‘ Great, why not?’
“I gave all the information to the club, who made arrangements. It is great for all the community.
“He is not a friend, I met him a long time ago when I had been to his concert at Wembley. I don’t know if he remembers. Now, maybe he remembers.”
Leicester won the title after Tottenham drew 2- 2 with Chelsea to leave them seven points clear with two games left, securing Ranieri his fi rst top- fl ight title.
“Of course I think it’s my karma because I work so hard to achieve things,” said the Italian, who toasted the Foxes’ success with journalists with a glass of champagne yesterday.
“I am very happy and I want to say thank you to all my players, the chairman, the staff and the fans. They were amazing.”
And making reference to the old nickname he earned during his days in charge of Chelsea when squad rotation was one of his traits, he said: “Never could I imagine this, but it’s good. I am the Thinkerman, not Tinkerman.”
Ranieri’s side will face Everton without defender Robert Huth, who has been banned for three matches by the FA for a violent conduct charge following a hair- pulling incident involving Marouane Fellaini, who was also suspended for three games after lashing out with his elbow in retaliation during last Sunday’s 1- 1 draw with Manchester United.
Foxes midfi elder Danny Drinkwater will also miss out after being sent off for two bookable offences at Old Trafford.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez does not believe Leicester’s remarkable title triumph will change the landscape of English football and he expects the elite to re- establish themselves next season. The Toffees will form a guard of honour for the champions when they receive the trophy at the King Power Stadium. The achievement of Ranieri’s team was hailed as “inspirational” by Martinez, but he insists it is a one- off fairy tale that will not alter the face of the game. “No. Defi nitely not,” said Martinez. “It is a fairy tale, but it is the exception.
“How many cases have there been like it in the 24 years of the Premier League’s history? Every project you put together to try to win the league. But 24 years of 20 teams? You do the maths. That is 480 projects and only one is a fairy tale.
“It is something we have not seen in the modern game and it will not be repeated easily. It shows you that in any team sport, that group dynamic, intensity and determination to chase a dream can beat any individual talent. That is all you can say. I see it as an inspirational example not just in football but in sport and life in general.”
Jamie Vardy is available for Leicester after his two- match ban – and he will return with a new tattoo after a seven- hour session in the tattooist’s chair.
Body artist Nik MossGlennon said he did not want to give details of the design Vardy had inked onto his torso on Monday – at one of the four parlours owned by Foxes captain Wes Morgan.