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Leicester not disappearing from top four race anytime soon

For proof that victory in the Community Shield does not mean a successful season lies ahead, recall that Arsenal lifted the trophy in 2020. Leicester City fans would be wise to not attach undue significance to their 1-0 defeat of an under-strength Manchester City side on Saturday.

There are other reasons for optimism at the King Power Stadium, though, despite the heartbreak of another near-miss last term. For the second season in a row, Leicester fell at the final hurdle in the top-four race. Securing back-to-back fifth-place finishes is a fine achievement for the club, yet it is a measure of the progress Leicester have made that pride was overshadowed by disappointment, at least in the immediate aftermath of missing out on the top four. Brendan Rodgers will try and make it third time lucky this season, as the Foxes strive to finally qualify for the Champions League for the second time.

They are going about things in exactly the right way. According to the latest edition of the Deloitte Money League, Leicester generate the eighth-highest revenue in the Premier League – behind the so-called ‘big six’ and Everton. Spotrac, a sports finance website, suggests they have only the ninth-highest wage bill in the division. In recent years Leicester have punched above their weight, outperforming wealthier clubs who spend more on transfers and salaries.

The miraculous title triumph under Claudio Ranieri in 2015/16 was a glorious one-off. Yet after an initial wobble, Leicester have used that astonishing feat as a springboard for sustained (if less monumental) success. As well as the two fifth-place finishes, the Foxes won the FA Cup for the first time in May. And there is little reason to suggest they are about to fall away any time soon.

Leicester are one of the best-run clubs in the Premier League. The popular owners are willing to invest money in the squad, but much of it is generated from player sales which allows the club to be run in a sustainable manner. The exits of N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez, Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell in the last five years have raised more than £250m. Each of those players arrived at the King Power Stadium for substantially less than the amount they were sold for.

Leicester have been astute with incomings as well as outgoings. James Maddison and James Justin were plucked from the Championship to great effect. Jonny Evans was a bargain at £3.5m. Few had heard of Caglar Soyuncu before his move to the East Midlands, but he is now regarded as one of the league’s best centre-backs. Youri Tielemans has been outstanding ever since he joined the club, initially on loan, in January 2019.

There have been a few misses along the way. Central midfield duo Andre Silva and Vicente Iborra struggled to adjust. The less said about Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa the better. But there is not a club in the world that is immune to occasional mistakes, and Leicester’s recruitment work has been overwhelmingly positive in recent times.

Their two major additions this summer look promising too. The 22-year-old Patson Daka is a highly-rated forward who impressed at Red Bull Salzburg. Boubakary Soumare, also 22, starred in midfield as Lille won the Ligue 1 title last season. Both players add further depth to Leicester’s squad.

The Foxes also benefit from having an excellent tactician in the dugout. Rodgers is a terrific coach who has continually demonstrated an ability to bring out the best in the players at his disposal. Leicester are not going away as top-four challengers any time soon.

 


 

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