Claudio Ranieri has admitted he made a mistake in not realising N'Golo Kante wanted to leave champions Leicester City for Chelsea this summer, reports the London Evening Standard.

"When a team plays so well and achieves something so special, it was normal other managers would look at my players," Ranieri said.

"Riyad, Jamie, everybody — not only English managers, also managers around the world were looking at them. Of course I am pleased Mahrez has decided to stay but I was so sure that it was only speculation.

"We spoke together last season and we spoke again in pre-season. Each time he told me he was very happy to stay here. He signed for four years and if a man signs for four years he wants to stay.

"I also signed for four years because I want to build something here and so does Jamie Vardy, Drinky, Kasper Schmeichel, the captain Wes Morgan, everybody.

"I thought everybody wanted to stay with Leicester and continue to fight. But I made a mistake. One did want to go — Kante is finished with us and he has gone."