Claudio Ranieri says his side will survive without N'Golo Kante

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has said his side are sad they lost midfielder N'Golo Kante to Chelsea but they will carry on nonetheless.

Kante was arguably one of the outstanding players of the Premier League last season, making 37 appearances for the Foxes as they won the title for the first time in their history.

Leicester tried to keep Kante, offering him an improved four-year contract before Euro 2016, but the France international decided to move to Stamford Bridge on an agreed transfer fee of around £32m.

The Italian manager is remaining optimistic, however, arguing that top players left the King Power stadium last year before Leicester's shock trophy winning 2015/2016 season.

Kante was one of Leicester's top players and helped them secure the Premier League title

"Last season we lost Esteban Cambiasso and everybody was crying," Ranieri said, after his side drew 1-1 with Celtic in a pre-season friendly.

"Now we are crying because we lost Kante. Don't worry. Football in Leicester will keep going."

Leicester have managed to hold on to star striker Jamie Vardy, who turned down the chance to join Arsenal in June and signed a new four-year deal with the Foxes.

Reports over the weekend suggested that winger Riyad Mahrez might be about to head to the Emirates ahead of the new season but the forward has travelled with his team-mates to California for an International Champions Cup clash with PSG next weekend.

Ranieri has urged Mahrez to stay in his squad, warning the Algerian he could risk ending up on the bench at a club like Arsenal.