They were 5000 to one in August to win the league. Now they are on the brink of storming the Premier League.
If you were to tell me in August 2015 that Leicester City would win the Premier League title at Old Trafford against Manchester United in 2016, I would have laughed so hard I would have collapsed into a quaking lump. Now I look back feeling rather idiotic. If Leicester City win away against Manchester United this weekend, then they will be crowned as the 2015/16 champions of England. A shock to the system? I really do not think so.
Leicester have, by a long way, been the most exiting team to watch on screen and on match day. The speed of their counter attack, the precision of passing, the energy and the drive is simply incredible – in keeping with the greatest sporting sides in history. Then there are the team’s individuals. You have silky skill in the form of the PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez, the scorching pace of Jamie Vardy, versatility of N’Golo Kante and the shot stopping superlatives of Kasper Schmeichel. I could name the entire team because every single player this season has been fantastic.
Even in their dogfight against relegation last season, the Foxes were the hottest ticket in the league with breath-taking goals, grit and determination. In the space of three heady years, Leicester fans have enjoyed a blockbuster story. They have gone from promotion to the Premiership, surviving relegation and now within a win of winning the top prize in the country.
Not only that, but the team is guaranteed European Football next year. This shows just how far the team has improved. Real credit must go to their manager Claudio Ranieri, for his potent high-pressing system. After being sacked as Chelsea manager, he was labelled as poor manager who could never win the league. Now, 10 years on, he may have the opportunity to be given a guard on honour by… Chelsea, who are experiencing their worst season since the 1990s.
This campaign really has been one of the most inspiring and draw dropping in recent years. It is amazing to think that clubs like Leicester, Spurs and West Ham are soaring high. Equally, it is shocking to see money driven clubs like the Manchester teams, Chelsea and Arsenal underachieving in one of the most exiting leagues on the planet. Yes, those clubs have seen marginal success in other competitions this year, as Manchester City scooped the league cup, reached the semi-finals of the Champions League while Manchester United’s only chance of glory is the FA Cup final. When you look at the money spent by the clubs and their amazing facilities, it really has been poor.
I think the real reason for this lies back with the soon to be champions Foxes. The league as a whole has become something of a financial powerhouse, in terms of sponsorship deals and TV rights. With this, Leicester have been given their biggest budget ever and have spent wisely, like bringing in experience of Signi Okazaki. The second reason is their style of play. The team are very solid defensively with Huth and Morgan forming a veritable brick wall in the form of their defence. I think the main reason for their success is their vaulting ambition. Plus the irrepressible energy and passion of crowds at the King Power Stadium - their veritable twelfth man.
Why can’t they reach for the stars? If you have the ambition and you have the ability, as shown the Jamie Vardy breaking the all-time consecutive goal scorer, then soon, that dream will turn into reality.