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English Premier League: 3 things to watch in Leicester’s 18-19 season

By Orri Benatar

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides opening goal during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns on March 10, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides opening goal during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns on March 10, 2018 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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The Foxes said goodbye to one of their stars this summer. That doesn’t mean Leicester won’t be finishing in the top ten again.

Leicester City finished in ninth place last season, their best finish since winning the title in 2016. Members of that title-winning team have gone their separate ways, but the Foxes still have plenty of talent, youth, and money to become an EPL regular for a decade.

Claude Puel didn’t buy any big names this summer, with James Maddison of Norwich their most expensive purchase. That doesn’t mean though that Leicester won’t be good this season, especially with Harry Maguire staying in blue.

The rise of Demarai Gray

Leicester has plenty of young stars on board. Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Maguire among the most notable. I think this season we will see the rise of Demarai Gray above almost all of them. The 22-year old played in 35 games last season, scoring three times and assisting five.

Every season he has improved with Leicester and this could be the season that jumps him up as one of the top talented youngsters in the league and getting an England cap or two in 2019. With no Riyad Mahrez, Gray’s game time will increase and so will his goals tally.

One last party for Vardy

Jamie Vardy is the last remaining amongst the ‘Big Three’ of Leicester that won them the title. Riyad Mahrez has fulfilled a lifelong dream with his move to City and N’Golo Kante is a World Cup champion returning to Chelsea. The 31-year old Vardy has stayed and scored goals. This could be that last hurrah for Vardy.

By no means do I think this will be his last productive season. He can score 15 to 18 goals and be amongst the top five goalscorers this season. I do think that Leicester will take the approach of youth and use the money they got for Mahrez (and eventually Maguire) to buy some fresh, young strikers, meaning Vardy might see less game time. Vardy will still be a fan favorite and one of the players to watch this season.

Comfortable mid-table side

This is the season. Last year, Leicester once again was in danger of relegation at one point. For the past two seasons, Leicester has fired their manager that started the Premier League. Not this year. With depth, some young stars, and Puel leading the way, Leicester will finally not be in danger of relegation.

Next. 5 things to watch in Chelsea's 18-19 season. dark

This will be the season that we see the Foxes become the new ‘Aston Villa’ and finish between 8th and 11th place every season for 5 to 10 years. The consistency and quality are there and more money will come to buy even more players. Leicester begins tomorrow at Manchester United.

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