Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri has insisted that the club need time to win the Ligue 1 title.

Les Rouge et Blanc gained promotion to the French top tier last season and have spent lavishly this summer to sign Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez.

Despite high expectations at Stade Louis II, Ranieri has claimed that success may not be delivered instantly.

"Compete with PSG? I believe it is too early to ask such a question," he told L'Equipe.

"PSG, Lyon and Marseille look more like teams than Monaco. So we need time. It will be difficult to be champions this season.

"Give me some time. To me the most important thing is first to try to build the best group possible."

Monaco start the new campaign with a trip to Bordeaux on August 10.

Written by
Jack Prescott