3 Reasons for Leicester fans to keep faith

The core Leicester City squad

It is worth remembering that the squad hasn’t gotten any worse so far this summer. It sounds obvious, but it’s something that has been lost on a few online. Not only that, but the current Leicester squad is actually pretty good.

The Foxes last finished in the bottom half of the Premier League six seasons ago during a chaotic 2016/17 campaign. Since then, we have seen two ninth-place finishes, two successive years in the top 5, and last season’s eighth place.

Compare this to the likes of Aston Villa and Everton, and these are very strong and consistent finishes. Of course, every team and fanbase wants more, but to finish as high as eighth, especially after all the injury woe of last year, is a sign of how strong the core squad is.

Compare the current starting XI to the 2016/17 one and – barring the obvious exception of Mahrez – the squad is far stronger now than it was back then. Two years ago, it was even discussed if this squad was the greatest City squad to ever exist.

All the players involved in the historic FA Cup win are still with the club, not one of those big stars has been swayed away in big money deals – not even Tielemans – which is the first time that City haven’t sold a big name in consecutive seasons since their title win.

Vardy, Maddison, Barnes, Justin, Ndidi, Fofana, Tielemans and Dewsbury-Hall are just a few I could list. We are very blessed to see all of them play in our Leicester blue and gold. Enough has been said in praise for these individuals, but it’s worth reminding that they are still at the club.

Meanwhile, fans still are yet to see the best from the likes of Daka and Thomas, whilst the likes of McAtee, Nelson, and Wright can all push on in their development as they aim to replicate Dewsbury-Hall’s rise to fame.

Finally, a special mention must go to the returning Dennis Praet who has been a standout so far in pre-season. After being shipped out on loan to Torino last season, it looked as if the Belgian’s time at Seagrave had come to an end, however he has come back this summer looking to prove a point. If the Foxes can give him the gametime he deserves, then his return to the squad could add some serious quality from midfield.