Relegation fight helped Foxes cope with pressure - Mahrez

Under former manager Nigel Pearson, Leicester survived a protracted fight against the drop last season by winning seven of their last nine matches to finish 14th.

Relegation fight helped Foxes cope with pressure - Mahrez

(Reuters)





In a remarkable reversal of fortunes, Claudio Ranieri's side are currently top of the standings, five points ahead of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur with nine games remaining.

"No pressure. We are playing as always. We just work hard for everyone. We are just a good team, good team mates and we are doing well. We have to keep going," Mahrez told British media.

"Last year was very difficult. Last year we had pressure. Last year gave us more experience and we are now in a different situation... we are playing for the title. It's something crazy, but that's the reality. You have to enjoy it."

Meanwhile, manager Ranieri has urged to club to reward head of recruitment Steve Walsh, who brought Mahrez to the King Power Stadium, and assistant manager Craig Shakespeare with new contracts to help the Foxes build on this season's success.

"It is very important to keep them. I ask them to sign the same as my contract (until 2018) because I have a very good relationship with all my staff," Ranieri said.

Leicester will continue their chase for a first top-flight title in the club's 132-year history when they host second-bottom Newcastle United on Monday.





(Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru; Editing by John O'Brien)


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world