Since Leicester City won the Premier League title in that magical season, they have failed to take themselves to the next level and compete well with the big six. Whilst that isn’t unexpected from the wider footballing world, the Foxes faithful were surely hoping for better than what has been delivered for the last two seasons.
Leicester City have lost some of their key players such as N’golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater from that title-winning season, and are now expected to lose arguably their most influential player in Riyad Mahrez this summer.
The Foxes have also had three different managers (if you include Michael Appleton as caretaker manager) since the departure of lovable Claudio Ranieri in February 2017. Now Claude Puel could possibly be on his way out of the door, too, if reports are believed in.
Leicester City are in danger of going on a downward slope just like Southampton experienced this season, where they only just survived relegation from the Premier League.
Over the last few years, the Saints have continuously sold their best players, and eventually it takes its toll effectively replacing them.
Here are some of the players they have sold in recent years:
- Adam Lallana
- Nathaniel Clyne
- Luke Shaw
- Jose Fonte
- Dejan Lovren
- Toby Alderweireld
- Victor Wanyama
- Sadio Mane
- Virgil Van Dijk
Whilst it is part and parcel of the game to buy and sell players, continuously selling your best players and hoping to buy replacements to slot in straight away is extremely difficult, and in most cases impossible.
Of course, financial reasons are behind this but for fans, this isn’t enough. We want to see our teams improve and evolve. Admirably, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has so far tried to resist some of the advances that have come his way for his players; but another season of no progress may well see some of the better players wanting to follow Kante and Drinkwater out the door.
Next: Step 5: Show some intent and thought in the transfer market
Step 5: Show some intent and thought in the transfer market
Whilst you can’t say Leicester City have not shown intent in the transfer market, you also wouldn’t say they have made any major waves either.
Let’s be honest, the recruitment since the title-winning season has been fairly poor (and that is being nice).
Players brought in since the title-winning season:
- Luis Hernandez
- Ron-Robert Zieler
- Bartosz Kapustka
- Nampalys Mendy
- Wilfred Ndidi
- Ahmed Musa
- Islam Slimani
- George Thomas
- Eldin Jakupovic
- Harry Maguire
- Vicente Iborra
- Sam Hughes
- Adrien Silva
- Kelechi Iheanacho
- Fousseni Diabate
Out of that you can only say two of those have been successful with some conviction. A couple have been okay, some may come good, and the rest are just not right for Leicester.
Islam Slimani, for example, just does not fit at Leicester City. He has not been able to displace Jamie Vardy, and his and Vardy’s style don’t fit together in the 4-4-1-1 formation that Leicester have predominately played since the Algerian joined the club. It feels like his reputation was the reason he was brought into the team rather than whether he fits the team and style of play, which, for a transfer record for the club, was an odd decision.
What should Leicester do?
This summer so far is a great example of how Leicester should approach the transfer market. They have recruited an attacking right-back and an experienced centre-back who is more mobile and comfortable in possession than title-winning duo Robert Huth and Wes Morgan.
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These signings fit in the style of what Claude Puel is trying to achieve with Leicester, and with rumours of them identifying James Maddison (creative attacking midfielder in the number 10 role) as a target, it seems that someone inside the club is finally realising where the squad actually needs to improve.
If Leicester City can continue in this fashion and add a few marquee signings that fit the style of play, then that would go a long way in convincing the best players in the squad that the East Midlands club is ambitious enough to stay.
Step 4: Play an attacking brand of football
It isn’t that essential, as results are more important, but if the owners want to grow the brand and reputation of Leicester City, having an attractive brand of football is key. Here’s why:
- The players will enjoy playing football for the club if allowed to express themselves, and that will boost confidence on and off the pitch for the club. It will create a feel good vibe.
- It will make the club a more attractive proposition to potential signings, which will allow the club to bring in players that may have been less attainable before.
- It will grow the reputation worldwide, and in turn, the bigger brand, the easier it will be to improve player retention, especially your best players.
Step 3: Create some stability with a long-term manager
Easier said than done. The club, since being promoted to the Premier League, has gained a reputation for
Obviously, those closer to the club are aware about the goings at the club; however from outside, the club – even to some fans- does not look stable off the pitch, and if they aren’t careful they might just end up with a reputation like Roman Abramovich, which would not be useful.
Yes, there were the incidents that led to Nigel Pearson’s sacking, then there was the fairytale of Claudio Ranieri. The rumours were that the players had lost faith in Ranieri and his tactics, coupled with a bad run of results which resulted in Leicester City being in the relegation zone. The owners decided to act several months after winning the title, and they were scrutinised and deemed ungrateful to the man who performed the miracle.
Then, Craig Shakespeare, as caretaker manager, great. As permanent manager, out of his depth and sacked just four months later. On the outside, it doesn’t look good.
They then appointed Claude Puel, and despite finishing ninth in the league, his position is said to be under threat. Leicester did have a poor second-half of the season under Puel, but he has only had one transfer window to operate in. Also, the team is clearly in transition, and Puel is trying to adapt and evolve the team to add another bow to its style of play, which is why he could be excused for being quite unfortunate to be under so much pressure.
That said, is the Frenchman a long-term option? Possibly not, but you will never know if he isn’t given a chance. He is keen to develop young players and has a record of doing well in long-term projects.
Step 2: European football a minimum
If Leicester really want to push on and not regress; then they need to be qualifying for Europe – and on a regular basis, too. They may not be able to break into the top six regularly, but the best of the rest is certainly achievable.
For Leicester City to be taken seriously as contenders, they need to compete well with teams at the top of the table (which is the owners’ ambition), then they need to consolidate their position as the best of the rest in the Premier League.
It will grow their reputation as a club which will only benefit them on and off the pitch.
Step 1: Only sell your best players for top dollar
This goes without saying and it seems like the Leicester City owners are not going to be bullied at all. They did show that in January with their rejection of the reported £60 million bid for Riyad Mahrez, and the sale of Danny Drinkwater to Chelsea for a reported £35 million.
Yet, it is important to maintain this and if Riyad Mahrez is to be sold this summer, it could be argued that he will still be sold for less than what he might have fetched if he was playing for a bigger club.
The stats show that Riyad Mahrez in the last three seasons matches the best in the Premier League, and if he was at Liverpool or Manchester United, he would probably go for double of what Leicester will sell him for.
Conclusion
While it doesn’t look likely that Leicester City will do a Southampton, it only takes one bad managerial appointment, or not replacing the players you sell correctly – and you can easily drop out of the Premier League.
Not many would have predicted West Bromwich Albion or Stoke City’s relegation this season, and that should act as a wake up call.
It certainly seems Leicester are going in the right direction. The signings so far this season look encouraging, European football is certainly the aim and the owners don’t want to let their best players leave on a cheap transfer.
Next: Premier League fixtures: Can Claude Puel make it to his first anniversary?
Overall, Leicester City fans should be encouraged but always be wary. The owners have certainly over-delivered so far, so you should have faith in them.