LEICESTER have started early in their bid to retain the title after kicking off pre-season training before their rivals.
The Foxes wowed neutrals last season as they produced the biggest shock in Premier League history by topping the table ahead of usual contenders Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.
Under the watchful eye of Claudio Ranieri, stars including Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez blitzed their way to glory after seeing off threats from Tottenham and Arsenal.
Many aren’t expecting Leicester to repeat their heroics in the upcoming season, with Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte all involved, but Ranieri has shown his commitment to the cause by putting some of his aces through their paces at the Belvoir Drive Training Complex.
Key men including Robert Huth and Marc Albrighton were present as the Foxes started to sweat off their summer indulgences, with others including Leonardo Ulloa and Ben Chilwell also putting in the hard work.
Goal-scoring hero Vardy wasn’t present as he unwinds following England’s disastrous Euro campaign, while N’Golo Kante is still in action with France.
But the likes of Demarai Gray and Danny Simpson were keen to get the show on the road early, with most Premier League squads not meeting until next week.
One image shows Ulloa working his core with a heavy 30kg power bag, while in another Chilwell can be seen giving his all in front of a conditioning coach.
In the meantime, Ranieri is looking to complete a number of deals after tying Arsenal target Vardy down to a fresh contract.
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The Italian has already completed the signing of goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler, while a £13million fee has been agreed for Nice’s Nampalys Mendy.
Experienced defender Luis Hernandez was snapped up on a free transfer, but Ranieri wants to keep the reinforcements coming in with a move for Burnley centre-back Michael Keane.
Iceland hero Ragnar Sigurdsson has also been attracting interest from the champions, but a move for Hatem Ben Arfa is off after he opted to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer instead.
£30m target Troy Deeney has decided to snub Leicester’s advances in favour of a new deal at Watford, but Norwich’s Robbie Brady could be set for a £12m return to the top flight following the Canaries’ relegation last season.
However, there are fears that star midfielder Kante could be tempted to up sticks for a new challenge after just one year at the King Power Stadium.
Chelsea, Juventus, PSG and Real Madrid are all keen, and it is believed Kante will snub any offer to stay at Leicester in favour of a move away.
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