Crunch time for Ranieri's struggling champion Leicester
London - Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri says he does not recognise his out-of-form players from the team that won the Premier League title last season and they have to pull themselves together.
The 65-year-old Italian - whose side is just two points above the relegation places and last won in the Premier League in October - added it is entering a crunch period where if it doesn't rediscover its form it risks becoming the first champion to be relegated the following season.
The Foxes - who have at least finished top of their Champions League group though a second-string side were whipped 5-0 by Porto this week which Ranieri labelled as shameful - will endeavour to record only their second win in eight Premier League matches at home to Manchester City on Saturday.
"This part of the season is our key moment," said Ranieri, who even threatened last week to omit two of last season's star turns Jamie Vardy, who is yet to score this term, and Riyad Mahrez.
"The players aren't satisfied, they want to play better and fight more but it's important to fight together as a team.
"Our strength was this, if we made a dream last season it's because we were together, not because we were a big team. With our effort we made a story.
"Do you see the same team from last season? I don't see, we have to react, to come back.
"The recruitment area are working hard but they wait for me to say 'Okay, now I need this, this and this.
"Until then I want to check my players and the only players who will stay with me are the ones who want to fight until the end."
Ranieri, who will learn on Monday who his side will face in the Champions League knockout phase, says even if Manchester City is on a bit of a slide itself, it has won just four of its last 14 matches, and is missing the suspended Sergio Aguero, it still has strength in depth.
"There are so many champions, there is Kevin De Bruyne, there is David Silva, there is Kelechi Iheanacho, there are so many," said Ranieri.
"It is a big team, fantastic players, but I want to see (them) against us, when we are strong."