da winzada777： Surprise champions last season after what was a stellar performance by the group, it shouldn’t be a shock to anyone that Leicester City have so far failed to achieve the same standard as last season this term.
da apostaganha： But the shock as been the manner in which they have gone about defending their league title. The current campaign has been an uninspiring one for the Foxes so far as they are currently languishing in 16th place with 13 points from the opening 14 games of the league season.
At this stage last year, Claudio Ranieri’s men were at the summit gunning for a surprise title push. They have, however, replaced their domestic form with excellent performances in Europe this term, with Champions League last 16 qualification having been secured with one game to spare – perhaps contributing to their gameweek six 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Porto!
Here are FOUR reasons why Leicester City are struggling in 2016/17…
Kante replacement problems
While Leicester’s success last term was mostly related to the level of the performances of Jamie Vardy and Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez, former midfielder N’Golo Kante was equally impressive, averaging over three tackles per game. The French international is mostly known for his ability to break up opposing attacks as well as balance the team, which gave the likes of Vardy and Mahrez the freedom to flourish.
With the Frenchman now at Chelsea, the Foxes are struggling without him, conceding and looking short in the middle. Nampalys Mendy was brought in from Nice as a potential replacement, but his progress has been hampered by the injury he suffered back in August in the game against Arsenal. Danny Drinkwater, Daniel Amartey and Andy King are good players but they are no Kante, which has been highlighted in the league so far.
European participation
Having qualified for the knockout rounds as group winners, Leicester City have been absolutely sensational in their first ever UEFA Champions League involvement. The Foxes also became the first English side to play their opening four UCL games and not concede a goal.
With that all said, they have so far failed to transfer that sort of form into their league campaign. Last year, Claudio Ranieri fielded the same starting XI times in most of his side’s games and, coupled with the advantage of being out of other competitions early, it was one of the reasons for their success.
Unlike the big boys in the league, the King Power side don’t have the necessary strength in depth to manage the situation of playing in Europe and also in the league – the Foxes have won only two of the eleven games they have played prior to or after a Champions League game. If Leicester City
If Leicester are to turn their season round, Ranieri’s men have got to find a way to balance that.
Jamie Vardy’s decline
The story of this guy has been quite unbelievable. Scorer of 24 of Leicester’s 67 league goals last term, the former Fleetwood Town forward has had an uninspiring season so far, managing just two in twelve league appearances. At this time last season, he was overge venge of breaking Ruud van Nistrolrooy’s record of scoring in ten straight games.
Now, the 29-year-old has struggled so far, being shut out in games, and he is one of the reasons why the Foxes are struggling. Ranieri needs to do something to bring out the hunger in his man and get him firing once again if he and Leicester are to have any chance of avoiding the embarrassing relegation battle.
Away form
One of the keys to the incredible success of Leicester City last season was their performances in away games. The Foxes lost only two of their 19 games away from the King Power Stadium, with those coming against Liverpool and Arsenal.
This term, Ranieri’s men have so far won none of their opening seven away games, losing six, with some of those coming with a thumping scorelines.
Losing 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and 4-1 at Anfield and Old Trafford respectively, the champions seem to have lost the determination and the hunger that made them absolutely magnificent to watch last term.
They need to work out a formula fast to turn their season around before it gets away from them. Picking up away wins will surely be a good way to start.