da cassino online： Yesterday evening produced one of the greatest underdog moments in sporting history, as Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur clinched the title for Leicester City.
da dobrowin： Indeed, the Foxes are now official Premier League champions, a triumph many deemed impossible at the start of the season – back when many were tipping the East Midlands club to suffer relegation back to the Championship.
Yet, despite Leicester conquering the seemingly unconquerable, the bookies aren’t backing them for another miracle anytime soon. The average market odds for a successful title defence is 40/1, whilst one website is offering an incredible 200/1!
We at FootballFanCast think that’s well worth a cheeky fiver considering how well Claudio Ranieri’s boys have played this season and despite the footballing world doubting them once again, we also think Leicester City have a good chance of becoming part of the furniture at the top end of the Premier League.
Not convinced? Here are FOUR reasons why…
Rivals rebuilding
Next season could be a watershed moment for the Premier League’s top clubs and the slight malaise they currently reside in. Indeed, by the time the 2016/17 campaign kicks off in August, the English top flight will be home to the best managers in the business; Pep Guardiola will take over at Manchester City, Chelsea have already announced Antonio Conte, Liverpool are progressing well under Jurgen Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino has proven himself a real force at Spurs and Jose Mourinho could still ascend to the Manchester United throne.
But as we know, new managers always mean new ideas and subsequently, new signings. And with the record-breaking TV deal coming into effect, we could see the Premier League’s top clubs recruit more lavishly, lucratively and ludicrously than ever before.
In other words, City, United, Chelsea and to a lesser extent Liverpool will be rebuilding over the summer – whilst Arsenal have a few issues to iron out too – and come a few months into the season, all will likely suffer with teething pains. Of course, some more than others, but it seems inevitable at least one will be forced to undergo an underwhelming transition campaign.
Leicester City, meanwhile, have a solid starting XI in place and momentum from the current campaign. Whilst others are finding their feet in the early portion of next season, the Foxes have a great chance of hitting the ground running for a second year in a row.
MONEY TO SPEND
That being said, it’s not as if Leicester City are a poor club. The current squad has famously been put together on a shoestring budget compared to their divisional rivals, but the Foxes have plenty of money in the bank if they feel compelled to spend it.
The King Power outfit’s Thai owner is said to be worth a whopping £1.8billion and Leicester are expected to pick up around £150million from winning the Premier League alone. They’re accordingly expected to make it into Deloitte Money League’s 20 richest clubs by next year.
So Leicester’s transfer budget for the coming transfer window will likely be the largest in the club’s history. Coupled with the incentive of Champions League football and their newfound reputation as title-winning underdogs, the Foxes should be able to pull off some stellar signings this summer.
VARDY AND RANIERI GOING NOWHERE
After such an incredible season, it’s inevitable that clubs across Europe will be looking at some of Leicester City’s players, as well as manager Claudio Ranieri, ahead of the summer transfer window. Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy have particularly caught the eye this season and the media have hardly been conservative in speculating where they could end up before the start of next season.
Yet, already aged 29, it seems unlikely Vardy will be on the move this summer – especially considering he signed a contract extension until 2019 back in February. Likewise, Ranieri has already been there and done it with a number of Europe’s top clubs without ever being truly loved; something tells me he’s more than happy to soak in the adoration at Leicester for another year.
Admittedly, Mahrez and Kante are the likeliest to be lured away. Mahrez is one of the most important and youngest players in the Foxes’ squad, whilst Kante’s contract is known to include a release clause. But with Champions League football on offer for next season, I’m sure both can be convinced into staying in the East Midlands for at least another campaign.
IDENTITY
Like it or lump it, Leicester City have a very unique way of playing, which is why it’s proved so effective. Indeed, Claudio Ranieri has evolved the philosophy Nigel Pearson left behind into a cohesive footballing identity of hard work, directness and incredible energy going forward.
Of course, the following season is always difficult for reigning champions and it’s rather telling that no side has retained the Premier League title since Manchester United in 2009. The Foxes will now become one of the biggest scalps in the division and teams will be far more devoted to stopping them, particularly on the counter-attack, than they have been this year.
But nonetheless, identities can be incredibly powerful – just take a look at Barcelona or Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United – and if Leicester’s can keep theirs intact whilst adding quality via the transfer market, they have a great chance of sustaining themselves amongst the Premier League’s elite.