Keane questions Leicester’s desire

Roy Keane has criticised Leicester City’s big money players and has suggested their increased salaries has played a part in their poor start to the season.

The former Irish international alluded to the improved wages of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, among others, as a reason for their lack of fight this season.

He said: “Over the last few months, we see a few of their players getting rewarded with new contracts.

“The financial rewards are fantastic, but it can destroy a club. Too much money too soon and the players take their eyes off the ball and they are in big trouble.

“They have had a bit of success and it is hard to be critical of them, but you look at their manager, and he seems to be a very placid man, and he must be so frustrated. He must be scratching his head, him and his staff.”

(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Leicester sailed through their Champion’s League group with a game to spare but have failed to transfer their winning momentum to the Premier League and Keane believes they lack their winning mentality of last season.

He said: “The warning signs have been there for the last few months with their league form and to me, the basic fact is they have lost their hunger and intensity.

“I think his players are trying. It’s not like they have downed tools or anything like that, but their real desire not to get beaten has all gone out the window.

“Football is all about good habits and they have lost all track of what they should be about. Their DNA last year, their work-rate, it’s gone.”