Leicester City: Winning off the pitch, losing on it
A solid offensive display was superseded by ineffective and an all around lousy defensive performance that left Leicester City helpless against the Cherries. What should have been a celebratory match after coming off a terrific international break instead was cause for concern. Instead of a predicted victory, the Foxes dropped three points and have only managed six points from the first five league matches.
Before the international break, the Foxes looked one of the most promising teams outside the “big six”. With strong victories against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton. In addition to impressive displays in defeats against Manchester United and Liverpool, Leicester City were performing to the full potential that Claude Puel envisioned.
With optimism in the East Midlands entering the break, players, old and young, began to secure their futures with Leicester City, instead of being a club that incubate players before they inevitably join the big six.
Signing the future and the past
Before the break, the Foxes made it clear that they wanted to keep their talent – veteran and youthful alike – for years to come. The first splash came with the signing of the man who embodies the club, Jamie Vardy.
The 31-year-old striker and former England international signed a four-year extension with the club until 2022. This signing was followed 10 days later with the six-year extension of 21-year-old midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. After Ndidi put his pen to paper, Leicester City extended the contract of Kasper Schmeichel, keeping the Dane at the King Power Stadium until 2023.
Though all three of the above signings were key – the biggest fish they had to catch was the sought after talents of Harry Maguire.
Extending “slabhead’s” contract at Leicester City
Since becoming a superstar due to his performances during the World Cup in Russia, Harry Maguire’s future at Leicester City was shrouded in doubt.
Aggressive bidding from Jose Mourinho and Manchester United rejected; yet fears of another Riyad Mahrez situation formed. Instead, Maguire, admirably, did not force through a transfer move and on September 9th the English international extended his contract with the Foxes until 2023 and a cool pay raise of £80,000 a week. Although the Express expects United to be back in for Maguire.
Harry Maguire’s extension is key for two reasons. The first, and most obvious: the Foxes were able to keep arguably their best player. Secondly, and most importantly: a player that was connected to one of the top clubs in Europe chose Leicester City over them. This goes for the other three extensions, Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi, and Kasper Schmeichel suffer constant rumours of departure from the King Power Stadium.
Instead of going to a team that could promise European football, Maguire, Ndidi, Schmeichel, and Vardy chose to stay with the Foxes. The major reason for this is an overall belief that the Filbert Way club, under Puel, can become a top quality club that can crack a top six finish once again. These idealistic hopes formed because of a strong base of youthful talent. This was proven to be real during the international break as two young Foxes joined the Three Lion’s senior national team.