Ranieri: Forward Players Are Free

- City boss wants a blend of his guidance and players’ talent 

- The Foxes take on Crystal Palace at King Power Stadium today 

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri says giving his forward players free reign up front brings out their best attributes. 

A central role this Barclays Premier League season for striker Jamie Vardy has undoubtedly brought the best out of the England international, who has scored nine goals in nine games for the Foxes. 

Riyad Mahrez has been another star performer having netted five times and registered four assists in eight Premier League games. 

City’s attackers have so far flourished under Ranieri, and the Italian believes it all comes down to the freedom his players have up front. 

“I want good organisation in the defensive line and two midfielders,” Ranieri said. “The players who are something more like a striker, I can suggest something, I can tell certain [opposition] defenders are better at this. 

“I can suggest, but after I want them to be free. Of course when we lose the ball, concentration [is needed] in a tactical way.” 

The driving, direct runs of Marc Albrighton, Jeffrey Schlupp’s blistering pace and Shinji Okazaki’s relentless work ethic have also contributed to Leicester’s superb start to the season. 

Ranieri added: “They (the players) feel I’m very close to them. I don’t want to say to Jamie [Vardy] ‘hey, make this or make that’. When I watched some matches last season, I believed Jamie can do what I want him to do. 

“For this reason in my first match [against Sunderland] I put Jamie in front and Okazaki behind because I believe both could be a very good link for the rest of the team. 

“The same with Okazaki. I don’t tell Okazaki too many times. I tell him be careful, play in between the line, attack the line and break the defensive line. 

“I want to make a very good blend from things I tell to them and their instinct, because goalscorers have a killer instinct. Okazaki has a killer instinct. I can give them good advice, but not to do this or that. Be free but around what I want.”