Wednesday, 24th July, 2013
AS Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri is arguably the only high-profile individual in France to not count his chicken before they hatch despite a summer of big-money transfers.
Monaco are expected to make a big splash when the new Ligue 1 season kicks off, as their promotion last season prompted a wave of arrivals.
Radamel Falcao was one such name, coming as he did for a whopping reported fee of €60m, and others followed suit.
Already experts are lining up to label the clash between Monaco and current league champions Paris Saint-Germain in September as the biggest of the lot, but Ranieri is urging only caution.
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When asked if PSG were already champions on paper, Ranieri told L’Equipe: "I think it’s too early to answer this question."
And on the issue of Monaco giving the capital club a run for their money, the former Chelsea boss added: "It takes time. It will be difficult to be champions this season.
"Give me a little time. For me, the most important thing is to first try to make the best group of players."
Monaco will begin the new season with a two-point penalty and will play one of their home games behind closed doors, after crowd trouble in May led to a disciplinary hearing.
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