In case you didn’t already hear, Leicester City won the title earlier this week. Yes, a team that were 5000-1 to scoop up the trophy, led by a manager fresh from a failed tenure at the Greek national team, and a squad full of rejects, somehow won the league. They were a team that recovered from lacklustre form to stage their own great escape from relegation last season with English football’s angriest man, Nigel Pearson, at the helm.
It is easy to say that the national (and, to an extent, international) media have savoured and enjoyed their win; there have been stories of fans cashing in on their longshot bets, Leicester City murals painted all over the city, limited edition Captain Wes Morgan whisky bottles being sold, and MPs in Parliament wanting to see Gary Lineker in his pants. In an era of football where money speaks loudest, it is extraordinary to see an outsider challenge the normality of Manchester City or Chelsea winning another title, in spite of lacking the funds, world class players or a gigantic stadium to do so.
Leicester won the title in typical champions’ style; superb game and player management, grinding out results, strong mentality and consistent runs of winning form. Their pragmatic game management was arguably their strongest asset this season, with their ‘taking every game as it comes’ approach yielding victory after victory. An attractive brand of intense pressing football on a regular basis, while being comfortable without the ball in front of a buoyant electric King Power crowd. A medical department that kept injuries to a minimum despite using the fewest amount of players in the league also helped; something Arsenal and Manchester City look upon with envy. All of this masterminded by football’s kindest man, Claudio Ranieri, who, instead of conforming to his ‘Tinkerman’ stereotype, chose to keep training methods, tactics and coaching the same, albeit rewarding pizza and champagne for wins and clean sheets.
Yet despite their resurgent and defiant form towards the end of last season spilling onto this campaign, teams failed to take Leicester seriously or treat them with any respect. Week after week, it happened again and again, with teams continuously being surprised that a side able to beat Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool could maintain form and keep winning games. Arguably, the team that saw Leicester’s threat was Arsenal, the only side to beat them home and away this season. Pair this with Chelsea’s indifferent ‘let’s just get this season done with’ attitude, Manchester City’s inept approach in major fixtures and Arsenal’s inability to maintain a serious run of form, Leicester were able to convincingly beat the smaller teams, while those below them had a collective brain freeze.
Despite Leicester’s lack of title winners or seasoned professionals, they were still able to calmly push themselves over the line, ignoring any niggling doubt or pressure from fans and journalists.
All of the aforementioned qualities have been from a group of rejects and spare parts from bigger clubs. The almost invincible defensive pairing of Premier League veteran, Robert Huth, and Wes Morgan, supported by their resilient guardian N’Golo Kanté’s reading of the game and crucial interceptions. The grit and high work rate of Danny Drinkwater and Kanté balanced almost single handily by the creativity and vision of Riyad Mahrez, a well-deserved Player of the Year. Spearheaded by Jamie Vardy’s tireless pressing, wicked first touch and clinical finishing with cameos from Leonardo Ulloa, and Shinji Okazaki’s selfless style, took their fans (and neutrals) on a stunning journey.
Leicester City do not have a single player in their strongest line up that could be named the best in that position or among the best in the league, yet this is where the charm of Leicester’s title win lies. A team full of individuals being able to play together as a hard-working unit, with every player able to contribute in their own respective way, shows that a team can be successful without world class stars and coaches, or a deep pot of money.
Regardless of the team’s success, next season will be the real test of their status and strength. Will teams finally take them seriously? Probably. Will Leicester be able to continue their impressive form beyond this season? There is a chance. Can Leicester retain their players for another challenging season? Possibly. To ask Leicester to repeat this season again would be near impossible and in a time where money buys you silverware, this is a moment in footballing history that we, as a football community, must drink in for years to come. Up the Foxes.
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