Ranieri backs compatriot Conte to deliver at Chelsea

Ranieri backs compatriot Conte to deliver at Chelsea

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri believes fellow Italian Antonio Conte will prove a success at Chelsea as the two teams prepare to meet in the EFL Cup.

Conte has eight Scudetti to his name, five as a player and three as a coach, all with Juventus, while Ranieri’s long wait for the first top-flight title of his career surprisingly came to an end with the Foxes last season.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has entrusted Conte with the task of re- establishing the Blues as the preeminent force in English football, a project that, after a promising start, hit its first major stumbling block in the form a 2-1 loss at home to Liverpool on Friday.

But the Leicester boss, speaking ahead of the EFL Cup third-round tie at King Power Stadium on Tuesday, is adamant his compatriot will live up to expectations in London.

“I think he can bring trophies,” Ranieri said.

“He’s a winner. He needs time. I think he can [lift] some trophies.”

The visit of Chelsea to the will, should he make the journey north with the away team, serve as a first reunion between N’Golo Kante and his former Leicester colleagues, the France international having swapped the King Power Stadium for Stamford Bridge in July.

“I’ll give him a very warm welcome,” Ranieri said of the 25-year-old.

“I’m sure our fans must appreciate what he did last season and give a warm welcome back.

“N’Golo was very important for us. Maybe more important for us than Chelsea as they have so many defensive midfielders.”

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