Former Leicester City player Tony Cottee believes if the Foxes want to avoid relegation, they’ll have to drop Mahrez and Vardy.

The defending champions are one point and one spot above of relegation. Mahrez and Vardy are not putting up the same performance they did last season. The pair scored 32 goals between them at this stage to help Leicester win the trophy last season, but they have eight goals between them now.

Cottee believes it’s time to leave the pair out of the starting XI.

“Ranieri should be loyal to his players for what they did last season, but there comes a point where you have to look at how those players are performing,” said Cottee, speaking on Premier League Daily.

“Mahrez has been well off the pace this season, nowhere near the player he was last season.

“Vardy has not been the same player either. There’s a slight argument that the service has not been as good, which is true to a degree, but neither player on form is worthy of retaining their place.

“Ranieri has to look at all options and he needs to look tactically. Traditionally it’s 4-4-2 for Leicester, but can he play a different system? Does he need to play three centre halves? They’ve tried it a bit this season.

“You look at Islam Slimani, Shinji Okazaki, are they better players than Mahrez and Vardy? Probably not, but they’ve got to try it.”

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