To understate it, Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri is not optimistic that his side will retain its Premier League crown this season.
This is what's called tamping down expectations.
Ahead of Saturday's opener, Claudio Ranieri dismissed Leicester City's chances of retaining its Premier League crown, saying there is "more chance of E.T. landing in Piccadilly Circus."
Ranieri's men stunned the soccer world in May by beating off Tottenham to claim the trophy, but he doesn't harbour much hope of a repeat.
Asked if he could envision Leicester winning it again, he quipped: "It's impossible, there is more chance of E.T. landing in Piccadilly Circus!
"But I think now we have less pressure than last season. Everything is different. We have to be clever to repeat it. It's 6,000-1."
How Leicester fares is one of many intriguing sub-plots in the Premier League with Ranieri again insisting 40 points, normally the total good enough to stave off relegation, is his primary target.
"We're building and slowly getting better. It's important to forget last season and build our squad," he added.
"I'm very curious about this season. The big teams are ready to fight for the title and we are ready to defend it.
"Our target is again 40 points and then to see what happens."
Ranieri also reiterated his determination to keep star winger Riyad Mahrez at Leicester with Arsenal rumored to be interested in the Algeria international.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's opener at Hull City, Ranieri said: "Riyad is staying with us. I say to him, 'Keep going; you have to improve your experience'."
Ranieri could not have handpicked a better opponent for the opener with Hull ravaged by injuries amid talk of a takeover by a Chinese consortium.
But the former Chelsea boss was exercising expected caution.
"Hull will want to show their best but we're very concentrated now and we want to play our game," said Ranieri.
"We have no injuries, everybody is fit and ready."
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