Claudio Ranieri discusses whether Leicester are planning for next season

Claudio Ranieri has revealed Leicester have been planning for next season since the beginning of this campaign, although they are currently focused on their attempts to win the league title.

The Foxes defeated Sunderland by a 2-0 scoreline today, moving 10 points clear of second placed Tottenham, and tightening their hold on the Premier League trophy.

They are also closing in on guaranteeing Champions League football at the King Power Stadium next season, as this miraculous campaign draws to a close.

With the impending arrival of European football and a necessary title defence next term, it would not be a surprise if Ranieri was already planning ahead for next year, despite the Foxes still being in the race of silverware.

Surprisingly, the Italian boss has revealed he has been planning for next season since the beginning of this one - before the Midlands side were even considered title favourites.

When asked if he has already started working for next season, Ranieri said: “We started to plan from the beginning of the season, we were thinking about next season.”

The 64-year-old has worked wonders since taking charge of the Foxes in the summer, and it would take a collapse of majestic proportions for the club to not win the title.

However, Ranieri is still focused on the upcoming games, refusing to accept that they already have one hand on the trophy.

“On the table we are in the Champions League,” he added. “We have to fight to bring it. Now we have to be focused on our next two matches at home.”