For
a team who was last this time last year in the premier league, Leicester has
quieted the naysayers and proved that they deserve their current spot in the
league. Now, at the time of writing this, they are tied with league leaders
Arsenal going into the New Year. Why such a drastic improvement this year? What
changes have been implemented in order to change a team that had 5000/1 odds to
win the league at the start of the season, to a team that now has 10/1 odds?
The biggest difference is manager
Claudio Ranieri. It seems that players have adapted his high intensity regiment
and have prospered under his tactics. With many saying Leicester have had the
signing of the year in N’Golo Kante, the team have gelled together amazingly
and are true contenders to win league.
Everybody thought that Leicester’s
recent schedule would prove to be the end of their season. Dating back from
November 28th, Leicester has played United, Swansea, Chelsea,
Everton, Liverpool and City. Their only loss coming to Liverpool in a 1-0
defeat. They tied United and City 1-1 and 0-0.
Ranieri warrants a very intense
style of football. Usually utilizing a 4-4-2 formation, he has his players
coming back to defend while keeping only Vardy near the top of their half in
order to start the counter or to put pressure on the opposing teams defenders which
he does so well. The team as a whole makes it so hard to play against; closing
down other teams within seconds and not giving you any free space. From there, Leicester keeps it very simple.
Working the wings with Mahrez and Albrighton providing pace, skill and excellent
crosses to the box. The difference with Leicester is that they get more players
in the box than other teams do. When the ball is on one wing, players rush to
the far post and flood the area. Many of Leicester’s scoring chances and goals
result from gaining control on the outside of the box from crosses that have
been deflected out by opposing defenders or from direct crosses to either
Mahrez or Vardy. Obviously, there have been some outstanding individual efforts
by Mahrez and Vardy in particular but on a team level, this is what Leicester
does.
What personally interests me the
most about Leicester is their passion and perseverance towards the game. They
are relentless. Leicester has only been shut out twice this year and it was away
at Liverpool and home to City. What’s interesting about this is that they rank
last in league in home possession with 41.6% and 14th in the league
for away possession with 43%. This shows that possession is not as big of deal
as it may seem if you have a high conversion rate—which they do. In fact,
Leicester has the best conversion rate in the league converting 22.2% of their
shots.
Another attribute Leicester
possesses that can lead them to the title is their ability to not falter when
they gain the lead. 13 times Leicester has lead this season, and they have won
11, only dropping 5 points. On the flip side, Leicester has fallen behind 8
times this season, going on to win 2 of these and draw 4. They rank first in
points from behind and second in points after taking the lead.
This team and what they have
accomplished is not a fluke. This run of form is not luck. It comes from buying
in to the manager and his tactics and coming together as a squad. Watching
Leicester is a lot like watching Southampton move up the rankings within the
past 3 seasons. They play as a proper team and work for their results. Leicester
is the only team to have 2 players in the top 10 for scoring this year. If they
can continue to produce the way they have for the first half of the season,
than they will be serious contenders for not only champions league football,
but for the Premier League title. The questions remain surrounding their
ability to keep their top players, especially Mahrez for next season, but that
is another article in itself.
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