Claude Puel aiming for the “Second Championship” with Leicester City

Leicester City boss Claude Puel is aiming for the “second championship”  as he feels that the top six teams are too good to compete with at the moment.

The Frenchman presented a rather realistic scenario of where Leicester currently stand despite their Premier League triumph in 2015/16, saying that it’s the teams outside the top six that the Foxes need to conquer first. Of course, on paper, that’s only possible if Leicester City finish at seventh in the league.

With 11 fixtures still to play in the Premier League and Puel’s side just a point behind seventh-placed Burnley, there’s everything to play for, not to mention the FA Cup quarter-final against Chelsea.

When questioned whether a seventh place finish is possible, the Frenchman sounded fairly optimistic, while also discussing the existing gap between the top six and the rest of the teams. He said:

"“Of course, the first six places are difficult, to play against these great teams.“I hope in the future we can evolve and go up against these teams, but for the moment, there’s a second championship, I think.“Of course it will be a good thing if we can compete with all the teams around this position because I think it’s close between many teams.“It’s a good challenge until the end of the season to play and to try to have a good place, a good position in the table.”"

Next up for Leicester City in the Premier League are Stoke City in the Premier League, who, even if an easy opposition to run over judging by the league position, won’t be taken lightly by the East Midlanders – or so suggests Claude Puel.

"“It will be a tough game against this team because for me, we will not be playing against a 19th-placed team. They play well with good football on the floor, quality, good pressing, fighting spirit.“At this moment, this is not a team playing for relegation. We need to be careful about this team because it has good potential.“With (Xherdan) Shaqiri and (Joe) Allen, they can make the difference at any moment.”"

Having dropped points against Everton and Swansea City, Leicester City are aware by now that there’s room for complacency or carelessness around this time of the year. A lot of teams tend to play out of their skins to achieve their ambitions, and Stoke City will definitely try and do just that with survival their only aim now.

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Leicester have gone winless in three consecutive Premier League games, and they can’t afford any more slip-ups, especially against a 19th-placed team.