Claudio Ranieri wants to make Premier League establishment squirm
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri wants to be the "crazy man" who frightens the Barclays Premier League elite.
The Foxes have certainly shocked everybody this season, transforming themselves from relegation strugglers 12 months ago to serious title contenders under the Italian.
Ranieri's side are level on points with league leaders Arsenal, seven points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, and the former Chelsea boss is revelling in Leicester's role as the gatecrasher.
"Now it is a crazy league and we want to frighten this crazy league," said Ranieri, whose team host Tottenham in a FA Cup third round replay on Wednesday night.
"I want to be the most crazy man and team in the Premier League.
"It is a crazy league because if it was a normal league Leicester would not be at the top. The other bigger teams would be there.
"But there is an opportunity for us because the big teams don't start yet. If they start then Leicester will fight but we would be in the middle (of the table).
"The big teams haven't switched on turbo yet to go - and we hope they don't switch on turbo."
Despite the seven-point cushion for Champions League qualification and the nine-point gap to the final European qualification place in the Premier League table, Ranieri still remains guarded about the possibility.
He said: "I know what you want me to say, but also you know what I don't want to say.
"I would like too much to give a dream to the fans, but it is January. Wait a little longer."
Meanwhile, Matty James may make his long-awaited return to the Leicester squad against Tottenham in the cup.
The midfielder has been out for eight months with a serious knee injury but could be on the bench after playing half an hour for the development squad on Monday.
"He could come with me on the bench in the next match," said Ranieri. "For me Matty is very important. I watched a lot of matches from last season and he played very well with (Esteban) Cambiasso in the middle.
"He is young, he is strong, with a good personality, good skill, good vision. This is another very good player for me who can help the squad."
However, Jeff Schlupp's hamstring injury is worse than first realised and he will still be missing until the end of February.
Meanwhile, Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino insists he has heard nothing about the club ground-sharing with Chelsea at Wembley - and says the option of moving to Miton Keynes is just as attractive.
Newspaper reports on Tuesday morning suggested Spurs could be set to play alongside their London rivals at Wembley as both clubs require an interim option while their respective new stadiums are built.
Chelsea are in search of a four-year agreement as Stamford Bridge is redeveloped while Tottenham are likely to only need to move out of White Hart Lane for the 2017/18 season as their new stadium nearby is finished.
The Football Association are likely to find two offers attractive due to the increased revenue they would produce - but Tottenham are believed to be eyeing up the possibility of shipping out to stadium:mk, home of Sky Bet Championship outfit Milton Keynes Dons, as well.
"It's an option to play at Wembley but I don't hear that maybe we will share with Chelsea the option to play there," Pochettino said when asked about reports of sharing Wembley with the reigning Barclays Premier League champions.
"(There has been) no communication from my chairman and we didn't speak about that. Maybe we will in the future but not yet.
"It's a club decision, different possibilities, but we would love to play at Wembley, it's in London and it's close - it's a good option for us but why not Milton Keynes too? Both options are good."
Tottenham meet Leicester for a third time in a matter of 10 days having played out a 2-2 draw in their initial cup tie and with the Foxes winning 1-0 in a league meeting in north London last week.
It means, in their previous three meetings this season, Tottenham have been unable to get the better of Ranieri's side.
"It is a good challenge as they play with a different team in the FA Cup, 10 players different from in the Premier League," Pochettino added.
"They change all the team, only kept their goalkeeper and we lost. Now it's a good chance to try to show we are better than them and win the game.
"We are ready to compete. We have a good chance to go to next round and the FA Cup is important for us."
Source: PAR
