Discussing Ben Chilwell’s bold claim about Leicester City’s quality

Ben Chilwell has been a revelation this campaign; a breakout season does not do the situation justice. Bravo. Although, claiming that the current Leicester City attacking players are the best in the club’s history, is a bold statement:

Leicester City lost to Arsenal on Monday in the Premier League. The Gunners were impressive, second half – Mesut Ozil controlling the match with a virtuoso display, supplying as well as scoring the decisive goals.

However, if the Foxes were more clinical first half and a penalty decision went their way, a two-goal margin would have been harder to overcome for Unai Emery’s side. After the match, Ben Chilwell gave his opinion on the evening’s play.

LCFC Live quote the 21-year-old Leicester City academy graduate on his opinion of the game at Arsenal:

"“We were all scratching our heads after the game.“In the second half, it was just a weird half and I can’t explain it really, compared to the first.“It was two very different halves of football and we can’t explain it. There is no getting away from that.“From what we all saw it was a penalty [when Rob Holding handled the ball]. Obviously, we are going to say that but his hand is not in a natural position so I feel it is a penalty.“The results we have got have not been a fair reflection of the talent we have in this squad.“Even today, okay at 3-1 in the second half they were a lot better than us, but I feel that isn’t a fair reflection because if we got that penalty in the first half it can be a completely different game.At 2-0 it is a different game and the home fans start to get on their backs. So it was a massive moment in the game. But we have to get on with it and in the second half we tried to do what we did in the first half but it just didn’t happen.“I feel at the moment it is not quite going for us. There is a lot of quality in that dressing room, a lot of quality. So many good players.“At times you have to say they have quality in that second half. We all know how good Mesut Ozil is. Three pieces of brilliance.“Maybe we can pick up on things and say we could have done this and that, but in the moment when he is on the ball and he does things like tonight you have to hold your hands up and say ‘alright, fair play.’”– Ben Chilwell"

This seems a particularly accurate and candidly honest assessment from the England international – it felt odd describing him as that, until the marauding runs up the flank this season flashed into my memory.

Another important claim the left-back made was: “You see in training the attacking players we have got are probably the best the club have ever had.” This is disputable when thinking about the many occasions of quality attackers over the club’s history.

It is worth mentioning team members in years gone by, like Iain Hume, Matty Fryatt, Steve Howard, David Nugent and Andy King; all great goalscorers. Although, they mainly plied their trade exceptionally well in lower leagues.

A fine example of a cup winning attacking Leicester team is the Martin O’Neill era side: Emile Heskey with Tony Cottee and Muzzy Izzet along with Steve Guppy. How About Mahrez’s legacy at the club. Going back further there are duos like Gary Lineker and Alan Smith. Backing in midfield with goalscorers and assisters in that period were adept players like Steve Lynex and Gary McAllister.

In the 60s and 70s there were such fantastically talented forwards with names like Frank Worthington, Alan Birchenall, Keith Weller, Rodney Fern, Allan Clarke and Derek Dougan. Their stats are worth a browse, try 11v11.com out.

Options now are plentiful. And, ironically, as a non-traditional left-back in a modern capacity – Chilwell himself, along with players like Ricardo Pereira, add to these attacking options and qualities. Bombing up the pitch in support, or to get goals.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy are extremely talented, consummate strikers; whom would draw great attention and fees if available in the transfer market. Understudy Shinji Okazaki is a decorated Japanese international and Premier League champion. Rachid Ghezzal and Fousseni Diabate can’t get a look in, both are highly rated and the Algerian played under Claude Puel at Monaco.

If Demarai Gray fulfils his potential he could achieve what another excellent wing option, Marc Albrighton, has. In addition, one day James Maddison could be as good as an Ozil. The German is a particularly gifted player; but the recent England call-up is becoming more and more accomplished.

Essentially, it is impossible to fully agree with Chilwell that this current Leicester City crop of forwards are the best. Yet, it seems the sheer variety of options does indicate an increased depth at elite level presently. Potentially, this roster could contain the supreme Foxes attacking team.

When the left-sided defender signed a new contract last week, he proclaimed:

“I committed the next five years of my career to Leicester because of the whole club in general, really. From the owners, to staff, players, the fans… everything. I have been here since I was a young boy and it always was my dream to play for Leicester.” Quote via Mirror Sport.

Puel will need to put his danger men to the test on Saturday, as West Ham United travel to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City in the latest Premier League fixture.