Leicester City won the Premiere League in 2015-16. Okay, let that just settle in.
Throughout the year our predictions for Leicester turned from Relegation to Survival to Europa League to Champions League, but never the Champions of England. Then the magic happened. Leicester won the League with two games to spare, Wes Morgan lifted the trophy,Claudio Ranieri was applauded and so on.
Now what is Leicester City’s next step and how do the manage to cope with everything in the coming season? Lets see.
Europe: Leicester City qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their 132 year history. Teams which have participated in the UCL have played an average of 60 games a year, which is far less than Leicester are used to playing. Needless to say their squad depth and energy levels will be tested to the utmost. In 2015-16 Leicester suffered the second least amount of injuries, a big contrast from the bigwigs such as Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester clubs. This is a big indicator that Europe will take its toll on Leicester. They wil probably play 3 matches a week, even if they do not progress to the knockouts. Another important aspect of Europe is that how well do they do and how far can they go. By now the fact, that Europe is the Achilles’ heel for all English teams, is pretty clear to the general football fans. Leicester have nothing but pride to play for, even if they play the Europa League. So can they do the unthinkable? Why not, they have proved us wrong this year, only time will tell.
Handling Finances: Winning the BPL as well as just participation in th UCL guarantees Leicester a prize amount of 100 million, which is quite a lump sum for any team. Nw it is solely up to Leicester and Ranieri what to do with that. Purchase world-class talent, squad players,renovate King Power stadium or give new lucrative deals to existing players. Whatever they do it will benefit the club(Athletico Madrid anyone?) or spoil it(AS Monaco friends). Leicester simply cannot let money get the better of them.
Managing Players: There will definitely be an influx of players when European competitions are at stake and Leicester needs to identify its targets beforehand and in such a way that it does not disturb the balance of the current team. Okay so the new signings come but what about the existing players. Players like Vardy, Mahrez, Kante and so on are not gonna stay forever. Most of the top European clubs have enough financial muscle to prize away these players and to some extent they can be replaced(again Athletico Madrid) but what if they meet the same fate as Liverpool. Come summer, Leicester’s resolve and its player’s commitment towards the club will be tested to the last.
Expectation: Leicester started this campaign with the hopes of surviving relegation but they managed to win it somehow. Their fans had no expectations from them other than a decent finish, so did most football fans(well, most people didn’t have any expectations from them at all).“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.” Alexander Pope. Quite applicable to Leicester. But when you punch above your weight(way above), you will have to carry the burden of expectations from thereon. We can’t tell what the fans will expect from Leicester next season, but it surely something any die hard football fan want to know.
One season wonder or a footballing power in the making? Only time will tell.
