Leicester City need to recapture title-winning spirit to avoid relegation
Leicester City are a far cry away from the Premier League glory of last season. Could the club be abut to make history in back-to-back campaigns?
After the unthinkable happened to Leicester City last season, with the Foxes winning the Premier League title. The unthinkable could happen again this year if Claudio Ranieri’s team become the first team to ever be relegated the season after winning the title.
The way things are going, it could happen. It’s not far-fetched in the slightest. Leicester currently sit in 15th position and are just five points outside the relegation zone. They’re also on a run of form that has seen them win just one game in their last seven.
They’ve scored one goal in their last five games and are coming off back-to-back 3-0 defeats. It’s a rough time right now. Many predicted a drop off for the Foxes after last season. Maybe a top eight finish. Perhaps even mid-table.
Not many had Leicester City down as genuine relegation candidates. But that is what they are right now. And of the teams below them, Swansea City have won two of their last three Premier League games. Whilst Hull City have improved after the arrival of Marco Silva as their new manager.
Leicester need to be watchful of those around them who are making moves. However, the Foxes are largely going with what won them the title last season. But although N’Golo Kante was the only big departure in the summer, the team look unrecognizable.
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Even with Kante, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez last year, you still could not call Leicester City the most talented team in the division. They won the title on organization, spirit and unity. A real team effort with a touch of stardust in attack. So where exactly have those qualities gone?
The club have gone from being the 3rd-best defense in the league, to now being the 7th-worst. They also had the 3rd-best attack and are now 5th-worst. The attack may be understandable, with teams less likely to play into Leicester’s hands this year.
No space in behind, no high line, no counter-attacks. But why can’t the team defend all of a sudden? Where is the toughness, grit and determination to give up absolutely nothing to the opposition? To make them fight for everything? Now they just give up 3-0 losses back-to-back.
The Foxes haven’t even won a single game away from home all season. One of only two teams to have such a stat to their name. They look nothing like the team of last year, and part of that is understandable.
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Losing a big player like Kante, whilst the rest of the squad have a hangover of sorts from last season’s success. There should be a drop-off. But things are getting serious now at the bottom of the standings.
Leicester City need to recapture the spirit, stubbornness and togetherness that they had last season. It won’t make them champions again, but it should help them avoid relegation.