After last year’s challenging campaign, which culminated with an eighth-place finish, Leicester City faces a crucial season. Do they re-emerge as a threat to Europe, or do they return to the stress-free comfort of mid-table mediocrity? Remember that they blew a chance to qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the 2020-21 season a little over a year ago, with essentially the same roster and manager.
Key players such as Jamie Vardy, Wesley Fofana, James Justin, Jonny Evans, and Ricardo Pereira were among those who missed large portions of the previous season due to injury. Although there have not yet been any summer additions, a fully-fit Leicester side can hurt any opponent, as Liverpool discovered after the holidays.
Nevertheless, frustration lingers. Leicester was knocked from the Europa League at the group stage, and despite being the FA Cup holders, they were defeated 4-1 in the fourth round by East Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest. Brendan Rodgers was under fire as Leicester’s season waned, but the Europa Conference League run to the semifinals, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Roma, brought some relief.
The dependence on James Maddison is significant. Nobody else in the squad comes close to the No. 10’s 30 direct goal contributions (18 goals, 12 assists) for City in all competitions, and it will be intriguing to watch if Kieran Dewsbury-Hall continues to improve following a superb debut season.
The director
Since his days at Anfield, the argument over whether Brendan Rodgers is an elite manager has raged. Since Envelope-gate at Liverpool, when he sealed away three players he believed would let him down, he has unquestionably improved his man-management skills. In contrast, this Leicester squad appears quite close-knit, although the squad was undoubtedly rattled by rumors linking Rodgers to Manchester United in late 2021 — a distraction that persisted even after Ralf Rangnick was named interim manager at Old Trafford.
Reaching the top six seems implausible, but Rodgers’ departure after three and a half years at the helm would not be unexpected if another lackluster season unfolds. He has expressed his displeasure with the lack of transfer finances – “my honest assessment is that [the squad] will not be at the level I would have liked” – but adds, “I have a lot of respect for the club, so I don’t go to war with them.”
Transfer link
Leicester City is the only team in Europe’s top five leagues to not have made a summer acquisition. They have a first XI that can compete for the European championship, but lack the squad depth of its competitors. Rodgers has said, “We need to sell some players before we can get new ones, but maybe we can enhance the roster.” The futures of Youri Tielemans and Maddison (who was offered £40 million by Newcastle last week) are crucial, while Luke Thomas, Wesley Fofana, and even Kasper Schmeichel have been linked with departures. After missing out on Charles De Ketelaere (bound for Milan) and Kim Min-Jae (signed by Napoli), City could yet pursue Sofiane Diop of Monaco.
World Cup influence
Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho are expected to remain with Leicester City throughout the World Cup due to Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the competition. As Jamie Vardy has retired from international football, the England roster is intriguing. Up to four players — James Justin, Thomas, Harvey Barnes, and Maddison — might be called up, but it is more likely that none of them are.
Alternative events during the World Cup
There are rockets and a planetarium at the National Space Centre, making a day trip there a must-do. And if you’re hungry, travel to Leicester Market, the largest covered outdoor market in Europe, where Gary Lineker (together with his brother Wayne) used to assist manage the family fruit and vegetable booth.
The leader in shirt sales
Who besides Vardy? Despite his injuries last season, Mr. Leicester City has a lasting attraction among new and old fans. This is Vardy’s tenth season at City, and with one year remaining on his contract, he has no plans to slow down. Vardy, who has held legendary status since leading Leicester City to the 2016 Premier League championship, said, “If I can keep scoring goals, playing well, and staying fit, that can be extended into the future.” Vardy has held legendary status since leading Leicester City to the 2016 Premier League championship.
Social climber
You may believe that Vardy, who is 35 years old, is too old to be on TikTok. However, there he is, kicking balls as hard as he can towards the camera and reacting to fans’ best Sunday league goals. However, James Maddison surpasses Vardy as the most popular player on the network with 1.6 million followers, who are subjected to a lot of baby content as well as tricks and flicks from the midfielder’s back garden — Maddison has constructed a whole 4G pitch with two full-size goals. No wonder he is so proficient with free kicks.
If Leicester was a Netflix documentary…
Rebekah Vardy has been pitted against Coleen Rooney in the Wagatha Christie case, and husbands Jamie and Wayne have exchanged anxious glances in court. But if there were a documentary on the Foxes, the first order of business would likely be to determine whether Rodgers still has a self-portrait in his hallway, as he did in the 2021 documentary Being Liverpool.
