Claudio Ranieri: 'Leicester City are ready to defend title'

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has warned that his side are "ready to defend" their Premier League title.

The Foxes overcame 5,000-1 odds to memorably win the title last season, but are expected to face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and more in the 2016-17 campaign.

Ranieri believes that his side should be even longer odds to successfully defend their crown and reiterated the number one priority of securing their top-flight status, but he also insists that the champions are ready for the new season.

"We're building and slowly getting better. It's important to forget last season and build our squad. I'm very curious about this season. The big teams are ready to fight for the title and we are ready to defend it," he told reporters.

"Our target is again 40 points and then to see what happens. Also to make a good experience in the Champions League. I think now we have less pressure than last season. Everything is different. We have to be clever to repeat it. It's 6000-1."

Leicester will kick the new Premier League season off away to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday.