Claude Puel is hoping to tempt Riyad Mahrez into staying at Leicester City

Newly appointed Leicester City manager, Claude Puel, has revealed that he is eager to tempt many of his current crop of players, including summer wantaway Riyad Mahrez, into staying at the club.

The former Southampton boss tasted victory in his first game in charge of the Foxes when they saw off Everton 2-0 at home courtesy of a Jamie Vardy strike and a Jonjoe Kenny own goal on Sunday. 

Puel, 56, has insisted that the responsibility of getting players to remain at the 2015/16 Premier League Champions is solely on his shoulders. 

He said: "It is down to me to make these players want to stay by the fact we are playing good football, I have always got to attract them, to seduce them.

"It is down to me to create that environment where these players want to thrive and stay and be happy and to enjoy themselves, their football and the plans that we have."

Fans at the King Power Stadium will no doubt be getting increasingly concerned about the future of the 2016 PFA player of the year, Mahrez, as we approach the winter transfer window, given the fact he handed in a transfer request during the summer.

However, the Frenchman at the helm of the Leicester dugout believes that he understands the Algerian's feelings but has urged the 26-year-old to hear him out before he makes any further decisions. 

"It is normal for a player, if they win the title and play Champions League, that sometimes there is disappointment, frustration because now they know the high level.

"My door is always open and it is important to listen, to try to tell them it is a different opportunity and that they can improve."