Leicester did a remarkable job of keeping hold of most of their star men in the summer.
Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy both opted to stay at the King Power, and although it might seem surprising looking at the table, their title-winning side was left largely in tact.
The most notable player to depart was N’Golo Kante, but unfortunately, he is the one whose absence seems to have had the biggest effect.
The Frenchman signed for Chelsea in a £30million deal and has quickly established himself as the lynchpin of Antonio Conte’s midfield.
And yet, Claudio Ranieri remembers fondly the time when the diminutive talisman was at the heart of his own system.
As Kante prepares to return to Leicester with his new club this weekend, Ranieri told reporters he hopes the Parisian will receive a warm welcome.
“Kante was our battery, but now we have recharged all our batteries.
“I hope our fans give him a warm reception, because he was our champion. It was normal to go and grow up his career.
“It’s important to remember what he gave us.”
Nampalys Mendy will face his greatest test yet to prove he is a capable replacement for Kante, while new addition Wilfried Ndidi also plays as a defensive midfielder.
However, all eyes will no doubt be on the Chelsea midfielder – though Ranieri insists he isn’t shining in the same way as he did at Leicester, through no fault of his own.
“I am not surprised how well he has done at Chelsea — he’s very good player,” the recently-chosen FIFA Coach of the Year added.
“But I think here he was more able to play better for us than Chelsea.
“Here was better for him. All the light was with him. But there [at Chelsea], there are so many champions and he’s another one.
“But it’s normal, a young boy came from France won the title and a big team arrives. It’s human.”
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