After such a mixed, but ultimately disappointing, season, Leicester City fans were looking forward to the long-awaited summer rebuild. Now, almost two full months after the season ended, supporters are still waiting.
It is dejecting for the fans to see the business of other clubs compared to the radio silence on Leicester’s end. Aston Villa, Spurs and Arsenal have all recruited smartly whilst the Foxes haven’t even been able to sell any of their deadwood; even Youri Tielemans staying has felt flat.
For this reason, it’s very easy for fans to be entering the start of the 2022/23 season with a negative headspace. The last three seasons have been missed chances, and now – especially given the growth of Leicester’s rivals – it feels as if the chances might have gone.
However, by taking one step away from the current transfer window, you start to see just how many positives there are for the East Midlander’s ahead of a new campaign. So here are Foxes of Leicester’s three reasons why every fan should still keep the faith this summer. Please now select the link directly underneath this paragraph in order to go to the subsequent page of the article.
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.
No Europe is a blessing in disguise
Look, I’ll be honest, I was equally gutted and furious when the Foxes were tamed in Rome during their Europa Conference League exit to the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the semi-finals. I’d have loved another year of watching our boys play European football.
It wasn’t to be; Leicester couldn’t make it three years of European football in a row. Clearly there are negatives to this. Not qualifying affects the club’s pull when they are trying to sign and retain players, and the board will receive less TV money this year.
Looking at it from a purely football view though, missing out on Europe could be exactly what the squad needs – for multiple reasons. Firstly, it keeps the squad hungry and aware that playing in Europe isn’t a given. You have to fight for it and earn it, season upon season. Hopefully, by missing out, it fuels the squad to push on this year.
Secondly though, and most importantly, it gives the players a well-needed break. Last season the Foxes played 14 European games. That’s 14 weeks where there was at least two games – if not three – in the space of seven days.
The gruelling schedule took its toll on the Leicester pack as many stars went down with injury. Evans, Ndidi, Pereira, Maddison, Vardy, and Justin were all but a few who suffered from the numerous games that came their way.
Now the squad can have full weeks of needed recovery and rest, something that their top six rivals won’t get. It’s an advantage, and one that allows for the club to fully focus on the Premier League, as well as putting in another good cup run.
The best recent example of success without Europe have been Arsenal. Now, don’t get me wrong, the Gunner’s had a rollercoaster season. Ultimately though, they finished in fifth and narrowly missed out on the Champions League. In their victories against Chelsea and Leicester, it was clear that they had extra in their tanks, meanwhile their opponents looked exhausted. The Foxes don’t want to go too long without European football and must take advantage sooner rather than later, but a season of extra rest will do this squad some good.
The best owner in football
Ever since their arrival in 2010, the Srivaddhanaprabha family has been the biggest blessing that the City of Leicester could have asked for. Too many times we hear of football owners who are only in it for the money, and not for the fans or for what the club means.
Vichai was, and is, a legend in Leicestershire. His kindness and love for the city was more than we could have ever asked for. After his tragic passing in 2018, there was a worry that Vichai’s son, Aiyawatt, may struggle if he were to take over as Chairman. Who could blame him if he wanted to step away after such personal tragedy?
Instead, ‘Khun Top’ persevered, making difficult but necessary decisions, but he only added to his family, and father’s legacy. His work was rewarded with the famous FA Cup win, after which he was hurried onto the pitch by Kasper Schmeichel to lift the trophy and celebrate with the squad. Rivals watched the emotional scenes, envious of the Foxes’ owner.
Top is a credit to his dad, and if the perfect person to be leading Leicester. If you think the squad will be hungry for more titles and a return to Europe, you can bet that Top is just as hungry.
The owner shall be desperate to see his club back in the big time, and poor results won’t be lost on him. The Srivaddhanaprabhas have always had the highest of aspirations for LCFC. After achieving promotion to the Premier League back in 2014, Vichai raised eyebrows in the press when he made this statement on what he wanted for Leicester:
"‘I am asking for three years, and we’ll be there [in the top five]. We won’t take the huge leap to challenge the league’s top five clubs immediately. Do we have a chance to beat them? Yes, we have, but I think we need to establish our foothold in the league first and then we think about our next step.’ via BBC Sport"
Initially laughed off as a bold overestimate of what a promoted side could achieve, doubters were left with egg on their faces as Leicester broke into the top five when they clinched the title in 2016. What was seen as an overestimate, turned out to be the opposite. Vichai was wrong: it wouldn’t take three years; it would only take two.
The ambition has always been there, and long may it continue. Just like the fans, Top has high expectations for the Foxes. Twice achieving of his father’s target of a top five finish, Top will want more.
He and his family have already helped the Foxes to three major trophies, as well as a Community Shield, a Champions League last eight appearance, and a Conference League semi-final. There isn’t a better man in football to be overlooking our club for the many years to come.