Leicester City has been one of the top teams in England since their shocking title win back in 2015-16. Moreso, since the appointment of Brendan Rodgers, the club has started to impose their authority and brilliance. Even though they have disappointingly missed out of a top four finish, on the final Matchday in each of the last two seasons.
The resilient of the club, both on and off the pitch has been impeccable. Starting from their run against the odds in the title winning season, losing important players who moved away from the club and their transfer policy, which has seen them replace high profile players with ones who turn out even better.
The unfortunate passing of the club over, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in an helicopter crash back in 2018 was another setback for them but they have been able to manage the situation, and move on just fine.
Over the years, the likes of N’Golo Kanté, Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater, Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell amongst others arrived at the club for little fees, and ended up leaving, with the club making significant profits, while also able to replace them with quantities that turns qualities.
French Midfielder, N’Golo Kanté arrived at the club in the summer of 2015 for only £5.6m, and left for a reported £32m in just a year, after helping them win the league title.
Riyad Mahrez was another player, who joined Leicester for only £450,000 in January 2014, and ended up leaving for £60m after four and a half seasons, in what was then the highest transfer fee paid for an African player.
Harry Maguire also joined for £12m which rose to £17m and left for Manchester United, for £80m. Danny Drinkwater for almost free and sold for £35m. Ben Chilwell was an Academy product and sold for a reported £45m.
These and other deals have been done over the years with the club making great numbers in profit, yet the club still stay top, spending little on replacements.
Replacing good players is not so much an easy task, but Leicester City don’t only find better replacements but gets them cheap and ones that easily fit into their system, even in their debut season.
Kanté was eventually replaced by a younger Wilfred Ndidi, who has also proven to be more than just a replacement and for only £17m from Belgian side Racing Club Genk. He slots directly into the team and now one of the best in his position in the world.
Should any team want to price him away from the club, the club will demand not less than £60, for a player who joined back in 2017.
Caglar Soyuncu joined for only £18m as the replacement for Harry Maguire, and after only a few seasons, it will take more than £50m to move the 25year old Turk away from the King Power.
Jonny Evans was also brought in for only £3.5m from a relegated West Bromwich Albion and proved a great addition. The then 30year old was an ever present in the team, and was rewarded with a deserved contract extension.
James Maddison arrived in 2018 for a reported £20m and now rumours already linking him with an £80m move to Arsenal.
Their unmatched transfer policy has also seen them signed an average striker in Jamie Vardy, who is now one of the best in the league. Youri Tielemans was also another hot prospect, whom they managed to snap up.
Currently, players in the Leicester City Starting XI will most likely fit into the XI of most sides in the top six. So whether or not they are put in that (top six) category, everyone knows that is where they belong.
James Justin, another young player joined for £8m in 2019 and was having scintillating campaign before his injury during the season. While Wesley Fofana, who joined last summer for £36.5m was voted the club’s best Young Player of the Season by the fans.
Harvey Barnes and Luke Thomas, graduates of the club’s Academy and doing fine at the senior level. Everything seems to be going their way.
Striker, Kelechi Iheanacho also proved value for money in the second half of last season and should he continue in that fashion in the coming, with Jamie Vardy also able to find his scoring boots again, Leicester City will be more than just top four contender.
Their effort was also crowned with a silverware last season in their 1-0 triumph over Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley, where they won their first ever FA Cup title, in their fifth appearance in the final.
The imminent arrival of Salzburg striker, Patson Daka is also a boost for The Foxes. The Zambian international, who scored 34 goals in 42 games last season has confirmed his move to England in an interview.
Speaking to the Kronen Zeitung, the Red Bull Salzburg striker said: “I will go to England and move to Leicester City. I had a great time here, Salzburg has become my second home. I will always be happy to come back here, but the Premier League has always been my big dream.”
Another big transfer pull by Leicester, winning over a top prospect, who was sought after by top teams in Europe.
The club has also shown they have their ways of keeping high profile players and keeping them happy. And have also shown they can always let go, and find someone better as replacement.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has managed at Liverpool and Celtic before joining in 2019 as Claude Puel’s replacement, and things have gone from good to better for the club ever since. Credits to the management for keeping such a high profile manager.
The forthcoming season behold much promise, and the club’s faithfuls will be hopeful it will get better than it has been in recent seasons. While the outcome of the coming season is unknown, what is certain is that in years to come, Leicester City will always be considered one of the top in English Football.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
