Leicester City’s run to the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season was something no one could have predicted. The winning managed at the time, no other than Claudio Ranieri.
When the British betting odds were released for the 2015/16 season, Leicester was listed as 5000-1. In the Premier League’s history at the time, only 5 teams had won the league.
Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Blackburn Rovers. Leicester was about to make history on top of history. The Foxes really went from relegation to league champs in the blink of an eye.
It was only fitting that the fans had lost hope. The Foxes were sitting at the bottom of the table with only 9 games left in the season. Leicester needed to win 7 out of their final 9 games, which seemed virtually impossible but that team never lost hope.
The Foxes journey begins
On April 4, 2015, the Foxes begin their journey to get out of relegation, starting with a game against West Ham, Leicester won. That sparked a string of victories which ultimately led to Leicester escaping the relegation zone.
The Foxes appointed new manager Claudio Ranieri, a man whose geniuses proved to be too much for the Premier League. Ranieri’s first statement is his goal for the club which he set at 40 points. It’s the goal that is commonly regarded as the minimum to avoid relegation.
The transfers made during this summer were regarded as some of the best signings in Leicester City’s history.
Signing the likes of N’Golo Kanté, Christian Fuchs, Robert Huth, Gökhan Inler, Demarai Gray, Daniel Amartey, and had Nathan Dyer loaned in. All of these players were crucial to Leicester City’s upcoming success.
Leicester City opened the season with a win against Sunderland in a strong showing. Riyad Mahrez had a brace while Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy each added another. This performance only showcased what was to come. At the time, many fans saw this as a regular win nothing more. No one could have expected Leicester consistently playing like this.
At this point in the season, Leicester City had 1 loss through their first 9 matches. The defense was lacking a little so Ranieri tried to do some motivation. He thought pizza would do the trick to motivate middle-aged soccer players.
Everyone gets pizza
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- Everton: Sean Dyche eyes ANOTHER Premier League winner to sign
- West Ham United will target £50m Leicester’s young English sensation
- Leicester City want to appoint former Chelsea boss to replace Dean Smith
- 3 Premier League clubs who could sign Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans
Everyone gets pizza if the defense can get a clean sheet. It worked really well. Leicester won 1-0 in their very next game against Crystal Palace. Ranieri decided to be unselfish and extend his deal for any further clean sheets. What a nice man, not worrying about his bank account to feed 50 of his players and staff.
Jamie Vardy has now scored in 11 straight games for the Foxes and Leicester just tied 1-1 with Manchester United. Currently, at 2nd place, the real test is forthcoming. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City. When those 3 teams are on a schedule back to back to back, you better be scared. The fans definitely were, thinking Leicester’s run will finally end.
A victory over Chelsea, a defeat to Liverpool, a 0-0 draw to Manchester City, and another pizza party. Leicester City is now co-league leaders with Arsenal. What a turn around, 1 year ago Leicester City were at the very bottom of the league. Ranieri proved that he was more than the average manager.
Leicester was eliminated from the FA Cup in a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham. They now are only involved in 1 competition and that’s the Premier League. Every other team in contention to win the league have other competitions like FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, and Europa League.
Leicester’s elimination meant a fully focus Fox den. It was God sent.
The clearing of the schedule allowed the Foxes to focus on their main and only potential prize, the Premier League trophy. Leicester City has now given their fans hope, a hope they’ve never had before.
Ever since Leicester was eliminated from the FA Cup, they’ve given more importance and energy to the Premier League. Safe to say it was “all part of the plan”. The Foxes marched into the Ethihad and handed Manchester City a 3-1 defeat.
More from Leicester City
- Trio of Championship sides want to sign Manchester City youngster
- Everton: Sean Dyche eyes ANOTHER Premier League winner to sign
- West Ham United will target £50m Leicester’s young English sensation
- Leicester City want to appoint former Chelsea boss to replace Dean Smith
- 3 Premier League clubs who could sign Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans
People expected Ranieri to not be so aggressive, well they thought wrong. The Foxes came out in attack mode and scored within 3 minutes. After that there was no looking back, they played looking forward to the victory.
Jamie Vardy got booked early in the match against West Ham. A red card meant Vardy was suspended for the next match. On top of that, an additional one-game suspension was given to Vardy as he let the referee have it, who accused him of diving. It was quite a big blow as Vardy was Leicester’s best player and leading goalscorer.
Leicester City was extremely focussed on the title. They trashed Swansea City 4-0 to come within only 3 points of winning it all. The next match is against Manchester United and it can be the game where it all ends. Jamie Vary has to miss the title clincher as he’s still serving his suspension.
City got too excited and messed it up vs. Manchester United. They tied 1-1. All eyes were on Chelsea vs Tottenham as a Tottenham draw gives Leicester City the title. All Leicester City needed to happen was Chelsea to draw or win against Tottenham. Leicester won the title in a very dramatic manner.
A game-tying goal for Chelsea was also a league-winning goal for Leicester. They better have sent Chelsea loads of gifts for having them do the work. But in all seriousness, no one expected this to ever happen. The biggest anomaly in the history of football never to be repeated again.