Manager Claudio Ranieri has demanded that his Leicester City players forget about the achievements of last season and seek to improve when the new campaign gets underway.

The Foxes enjoyed a fairytale run to the title last term, stunning just about everyone, but their manager says now is not the time to rest on their laurels.

The Italian says he expects even more from his players having witnessed first-hand what they are capable of last season.

Ranieri’s former club Chelsea endured a nightmare defence of their title last season, but the Leicester boss insists the foundations he has laid at the Kingpower Stadium are enough to guarantee his side will avoid a similar collapse.

“When I build something, it is never destroyed,” he said. “My philosophy is to watch your house, not other houses.

It’s important what happens here. Slowly, we try to build the first floor and the second floor. The foundation is very solid.

“I don’t know what happened (to Chelsea).” All eyes will be on Leicester when the season gets underway to see if they replicate the stunning consistency that fired them to glory last season.

Having lost tireless midfielder N’Golo Kante, Ranieri will know that every single player must redouble his efforts if they are going to maintain their levels of performance.

Ranieri says anyone with doubts in their minds is welcome to take a seat on the bench beside him. “I spoke with my players and I said ‘I know you very well now and I want more.

Forget what we achieved, I want more'”, he added. “I am very curious what we can do now. If someone needs more rest psychologically, stay with me on the bench and understand what happens on the pitch.”

Leicester are 2.05 to open the new league season with victory at Hull City, while the champions are on offer at 6.50 to finish in the top four this season.