Ranieri's side are currently fifth in the table with 19 points from 10 games so far this season

In-form striker Jamie Vardy netted the only goal of the game at the King Power Stadium

The Foxes were 1-0 winners against Crystal Palace in the Premier League last weekend

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri treated his squad to pizza as a reward for keeping a clean sheet


The pizzas were on Claudio Ranieri on Thursday as the Leicester manager kept his word and treated the squad after a first clean sheet this season.

Ranieri was delighted to keep Crystal Palace out in a 1-0 win last weekend — the prize an afternoon at Peter Pizzeria in Leicester city centre courtesy of the boss.

They have been the standout side in a campaign full of surprises, but Ranieri had remained worried at their capability of leaking goals despite lying fifth and losing just once.

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri (centre) poses with Joe Dodoo (left) and Ben Chilwell at Peter Pizzeria in Loughborough

Foxes defender Christian Fuchs (left) enjoys some pizza with team-mate Shinji Okazaki, a reward for the club's clean sheet last weekend

Leicester forward Riyad Mahrez (centre) flips some dough in the air as he tries his hand at making pizza

Gokhan Inler (second left) and Jeff Schlupp (far right) get a lesson in how to make pizza as the squad enjoy a trip out together

Leicester goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer (centre) watches the dough carefully as it floats gently down to him while making pizza

Leicester right-back Danny Simpson (centre) is all smiles as he puts his culinary skills to the test at Peter Pizzeria in Loughborough

The Italian revealed the reward is similar to other carrots he’s dangled in front of players at previous clubs and will look to devise more as the season progresses in a bid to keep the Foxes smiling.

It was strictly water and Coca Cola for top scorer Jamie Vardy and Co, who travel to West Brom on Saturday looking to make inroads into the Premier League’s top four.

Currently nestled beneath Manchester United, Ranieri hopes the team bonding at his expense pays dividends.

‘I pay. They deserve this pizza and today we will eat. It’s good to stay together,’ he said. ‘It was a very tough game against Palace — it’s good. I hope they enjoy it today.’

Ranieri laughed: ‘Drink? Drink water, yes.’ Ranieri scoffed at the thought of buying pizzas in at the King Power Stadium, preferring a restaurant more akin to the cooking of his homeland.

He paid homage to the club’s supporters, complete with the sort of metaphor only the Premier League’s most colourful manager could conjure.

Foxes stopper Kasper Schmeichel (centre) flips his dough like an expert as Marc Albrighton (left) and Ritchie de Laet watch on in awe

Leicester striker Okazaki cracks a smile after his unsuccessful attempt at making a pizza as the squad enjoy a bonding trip out

‘It’s the team spirit and they enjoy training. They know they can work hard and enjoy. A little bit of luck is important. Luck is the salt, the fans are the tomato — with no tomato there is no pizza.

‘For us it is important for us to build a strong foundation. For this reason I want more clean sheets. But if we win 2-1... I [am happy to] concede a goal.’

If the Leicester fans provide the tomato, Ranieri knows his back four base must not be of the thin variety at the Hawthorns.

Wary of Tony Pulis’ counter-attacking options and Saido Berahino over the top, he added: ‘They close the space very well and they counter. We must carefully read the match.

‘Tony Pulis is fantastic and the team have a spirit. We have to be aware because they are very direct. It is important to keep concentration.’

Mahrez and Inler (centre) are taught how to make pizza by one of the restaurant's employees during the celebratory night out