What Next For Leicester City?
5000–1 is the most quoted, most tweeted figure at the moment. Leicester has outwitted the big boys, and flexed their way to the greatest coup in sporting history. From relegation strugglers to English Premier League champions- who would have thought? Certainly not with those odds! The world has woken up and taken notice of little Leicester City. The Foxes have become an household name. Leicester and Claudio Ranieri will want to carry this forward.
The big question is, What next for Leicester City?
- 2016/17 Season
Claudio Ranieri has said a top 10 finish is the objective. Deep down, the Italian will be hoping for better. Ranieri will probably want to end his managerial career at Leicester. Let’s presume it will be.
The financial windfall of the League title, the mega television rights and Champions League football will give Leicester more than £150 million. That should make things very interesting. Leicester with an average age of 28.5, is the second most oldest team in the league. A manager of Ranieri’s vision and experience will want to lower the average squad age. That means infusing more youth.‘The Tinker-man’ will want to exit having developed a promising squad for the future. Academy aside, the new found riches will mean Ranieri will dip into the transfer market. I must say, I’m rather curious and excited to see what type of players he will bring. With a shrewd mind and cash at his disposal, we might get to see some exciting new talent in the league.
A main factor for the title has been the solidity of their core team. Leicester have used their least number of players in the EPL this season. Next season, Ranieri will not have that liberty — European football is very demanding. Squad rotation will have a big impact on their campaign. How his new buys will gel with the current team will have a say in the success of their season.
Knowing Ranieri, he will want to make an impact in European football’s finest stage — UEFA Champions League. The fans and players will look forward to play the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. A remarkable achievement from where they were last season! Leicester will have to cope with the demand of mid-week European fixtures. That’s a minimum of 6 extra matches. One thing is sure. They will go all out in the Champions League. Whether they progress though the group stage or not is another question. But the world will follow their matches against the continental heavyweights. Who doesn’t love an underdog story? It’s exactly what Ranieri will serve as motivation. The debut is Champions League is always hard task. But Leicester should spring some surprises.
- The Big Three
A big chunk of Leicester’s success has to be attributed to the triumvirate of Jaime Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and the imposing N’Golo Kanté. The big clubs will look to poach them. Of course Ranieri will try to prevent the exodus. Mahrez and Kanté are the more likely to leave. Two young players with plenty of football left. They have achieved the impossible with Leicester. Champions league success might just be too far (Ahem 5000–1?) They might stay this season. They just might. If they do, it’s great for Leicester. But sooner or later, they will move on. Leicester should stay to benefit from the monetary gain. They money should be invested in the squad. This is how you build a team. And that is what Ranieri will do if it comes to that
Jaime Vardy will also be in demand. But at 28 he is not going to be as attractive as his team mates. And let’s face it, he has everything he ever dreamt with Leicester . Vardy has the opportunity to play in Europe’s elite competition with the club that gave him a lifeline. A club which centers around him. Fans who idolize him. Go to any top club, Vardy will not receive the same treatment. At Leicester he will go onto be a club legend. I wouldn’t be surprised if they rename a stand in his honor.
Leicester of next season are capable of throwing a few surprises. I think they will. Ranieri will look to keep his best team for the mid-week European fixtures. That means he will compromise on the league fixtures. It’s a gamble he will take. Leicester will try to finish in the top half. The fans and Ranieri knows it will be almost impossible to defend the league. I’m not saying they are a one season wonder. But realistically it’s hard to defend the league and if they do it, it will be a achievement than this season.
One thing is for sure, the odds will be lower
