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Claude Puel: It’s down to me to make the players stay at Leicester City

By Harneet Singh Sethi

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on April 8, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Claude Puel, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton at The Hawthorns on April 8, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) /
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Claude Puel has only just taken over at Leicester City, but he is already looking forward to “seducing” the players looking to find a way out of the King Power Stadium.

A number of players have grown frustrated at Leicester City in recent times, namely Ahmed Musa, Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez, who have all been linked to an awful lot of clubs of late.

Mahrez in particular has been on the top of the wantaway Foxes list after he made his desire to move on clear in a statement released earlier in the summer.

The Algerian was reportedly a top target for Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, FC Barcelona and AS Roma, of which, only Roma ever made a formal approach.

Next: Preview: Leicester City vs Everton

The Serie A giants submitted four official bids for the 26-year old; however, Leicester City stuck to their £50 million asking price and were able to keep him in the East Midlands till at least January.

The 2015/16 PFA player of the year is still in search of a move, but Claude Puel has insisted that he’ll do everything in his power to persuade the wantaway. The Frenchman didn’t specifically refer to Riyad Mahrez, though it was clear as to who he was talking about.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Caraboa Cup Fourth Round match between Leicester City and Leeds United at The King Power Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides third goal during the Caraboa Cup Fourth Round match between Leicester City and Leeds United at The King Power Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Speaking ahead of Leicester City’s clash against Everton, he said:

"“It is down to me to make these players want to stay by the fact we are playing good football. I have always got to attract them, to seduce them.“It is down to me to create that environment where these players want to thrive and stay and be happy and to enjoy themselves, their football and the plans that we have.“It is normal for a player, if they win the title and play Champions League, that sometimes there is disappointment, frustration because now they know the high level.“My door is always open and it is important to listen, to try to tell them it is a different opportunity, that they feel they can improve.”"

Riyad Mahrez had previously come under a lot of scrutiny for his lack of interest during a poor run, but the winger has since dusted himself off and found form, scoring two goals and assisting as many in the last three games. He’ll hope to continue that on Sunday.

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