The Surprise Package Called Leicester City

[Anonymous]

In a chilly diurnal encounter in September 2015 at the King Power Stadium, a story began. It was supposed to be fleeting- as postulated by soccer-loving observers. Yet, its continued existence from September 2015 till now still jolly well defies logic. An exhilarating contest that produced more stunned faces than happy ones saw Leicester City demolish Manchester United 5-3 in their fourth game of the Premier League season. The predominant sentiment was an inevitable doom for a club that, inexplicably, pulled off a one-off against one of the league's juggernaut. While they narrowly escaped fulfilling doomsday prophecies from doomsayers under the auspices of Nigel Pearson, the conclusive feeling, in anticipation of the following season, was that of a team delaying the inevitable: relegation. The 2015/2016 EPL campaign has recorded one of the most remarkable story so far.

That Leicester City are top of the League table with 50 points after 24 matches shows the law of impossibility and logic can be violated with the combination of the right elements.

Often derided – unfairly – as a serial underachiever- the main protagonist of this sensational and almost fictional story is no other than Claudio Raineri. Additionally, perhaps, the presence of (Craig) Shakespeare – ironically Leicester City's Assistant Manager – in your team is an advisable literary choice for favorable outcomes. With limited resources at his disposal, his given expectations certainly didn't include competing for the Premier league. Doing that would be akin to breaking the law of gravity. Yet, Ranieri, with all the right elements, has forged his team into an irrepressible force. While Leicester City don't necessarily instil fear into their opponents, they sow panic and chaos with reckless abandon. With his tactical nous, Ranieri has ingeniously mold his side into a compact and well-drilled unit.

With a reliable goalkeeper in Kasper Schmeichel, the heart of the defence is ably occupied by the energetic duo of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth.
Along with their cohort in the backline, they've been able to form a formidable and almost impenetrable unit. Danny Drinkwater has been a colossus of the right sort in midfield with his creative play and forward thinking. As the orchestrator, his presence brings calmness and balance to the midfield. For a side that thrives on the counter, his incisive passes has ensured a swift transition of play from the midfield to the attack. An area this season where Leceister City have been most decisive is the final third. The league leaders currently possess the league top goal scorer in Jamie Vardy. From an unknown quantity plying his trade in Fleetwood town, Vardy impressed his name on the heart of soccer fans by creating a record of scoring in 11 straight matches in the EPL; thus smashing Ruud Van Nistelrooy's record of 10 goals in 10 EPL games. His goals have proved to be a major catalyst in Leicester’s current standing and while his lethal instinct is not in doubt, his work rate off the ball is equally commendable. Ably assisted by him is Riyad Mahrez. The Algerian has created a positive reputation for himself with his industry and hunger for goals, which perfectly aligns with a Leicester’s pattern of play that is replete with tenacity and endeavor. Leicester’s quality isn't only restricted to the gala eleven.  Impact players like Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazahki often provide the needed support and inspiration when the team occasionally needs one

While the script might not end up in an EPL title for The Foxes, they can take a massive consolation in the fact that a place in the UEFA Champions League next season is a tremendous achievement on its own.

By Abayomi Kalejaye

[Anonymous]

Brilliant article Yomi.

[Anonymous]

Nice one.

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