5 players who improved after leaving Leicester City

Alan Smith Leicester City 1984
Alan Smith Leicester City 1984 / David Cannon/GettyImages
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Leicester City has been home to some truly incredible players over the years. For a relatively small city, they have a rich footballing culture. Without a doubt, hosting some magnificent players has helped to form this culture.

However, it is not always the case that such players are recognised for their days at Leicester City. Such is the nature of the game, many Leicester legends are more known for their tenure after leaving the East Midlands.

With that being said, let's take a trip down the memory lane. Here are 5 examples of players who improved after leaving Leicester City.


5 players who improved after leaving Leicester City

Alan Smith
Legends of Football - Red Carpet Arrivals / Jeff Spicer/GettyImages

1. Alan Smith

Alan Smith is one of the biggest Leicester City legends. Therefore, including him in this list seems harsh. However, it not a dig at his Leicester days (that would be impossible) but more a homage to his Arsenal days.

After leaving Leicester City, Alan Smith won two First Division titles. In those two seasons, he was a key figure for Arsenal, winning the Golden Boot on both occasions.

That said, Leicester fans will always consider him one of their own.

Emile Heskey, Leicester City legend
Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United: Emirates FA Cup Semi Final / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

2. Emile Heskey

Super Emile is another Leicester City legend. With the Foxes, he won two League Cups, which certainly have to count for something.

However, he also smashed it after leaving Leicester City. Joining Liverpool in 2000, the striker repeated his two League Cup wins, while also winning the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) and the FA Cup.

An established England professional who honed his craft at Leicester. Where have we heard that before?

Gary Lineker
Premier League Hall of Fame 2024 Inductions / Tom Dulat/GettyImages

3. Gary Lineker

It wouldn't be an all-time Leicester City list without the inclusion of Gary Lineker. The boyhood Leicester player is regarded as one of the best strikers of all-time.

Lineker left Leicester City in 1985 but it was with Barcelona where he garnered worldwide acclaim. Shortly after joining Barcelona, he was a runner-up for the Ballon d'Or.

He is one of the best players to never win a golden ball but he won't worry too much, considering his personal trophy cabinet is filled to the brim.

Ben Chilwell
Chelsea v Barrow - Carabao Cup Third Round / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

4. Ben Chilwell

Started his time in Leicester well but unfortunately, his head was already turned by Chelsea. He doesn't have the best reputation among Leicester fans but it's unlikely he cares, given what he's achieved at Chelsea.

Ben Chilwell is now a Champions League winner. This is an achievement which not many people would have predicted when he was performing at a rather lacklustre level for Leicester towards the end.

FBL-WC-2018-MATCH64-FRA-CRO
FBL-WC-2018-MATCH64-FRA-CRO / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages

5. N'Golo Kante

Everybody loves N'Golo Kante. He only spent one season at Leicester City but everybody will remember that season as being the making of Kante, winning the Premier League against all odds.

After leaving Leicester, Kante repeated this honour with Chelsea. He also won the FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League and of course, the World Cup.


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