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Can Leicester City challenge for the Premier League again next season?
🤪Leicester completed a footballing fairytale by winning the Premier League after Tottenham’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea. This hasn’t only been a victory for Leicester but a victory for football, as the Foxes proved that passion, pride and persistence can still thrive over players and pay checks. Every football fan is rightly rejoicing at the miraculous league champions, and their success, although unexpected, was certainly no fluke. But can they repeat this unlikely success going into the next campaign?
🌳The first factor in Leicester’s favour is their manager, Claudio Ranieri, who was appointed in the summer. A few of Leicester’s fans thought this appointment was the wrong decision. The Guardian wrote soon after the appointment: No one can deny now that Ranieri has exceeded all expectations, and his appointment has proved to be the perfect decision.
🎉As for Ranieri being there next season, the Italian is already on a 3 year contract and according to talkSPORT has played down talk of a contract extension saying There has been speculation for Ranieri to succeed Antonio Conte as Italy manager back in March to which he dismissed, but since his Premier league heroics he is being hailed as a national hero in Italy with headlines in the Italian papers such as ‘King Claudio’ and with iconic people like Buffon and Mancini congratulating the Leicester boss. Ranieri has said however he isn’t keen and reminded media of with Greece ending in a disaster. It would be safe to say that Leicester should be able to hang onto their inspirational boss for the remainder of his contract.
⛎Secondly, Leicester’s future rests on keeping the players that fired them to the title. No one can deny every player in the squad when on the pitch gave 100% for the team. Unfortunately Leicester winning the league has brought a fair few of their players some attention from clubs with big money who may tempt some stars away from the King Power Stadium.
⛎The players Leicester will least want to lose are Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel and N’Golo Kante. Barcelona may be looking for a new keeper in the summer with Marc-Andre Ter Stegen reportedly unsettled and looking to depart from the Nou Camp. According to The Sun for the Danish international. With Schmeichel playing a key role in Leicester’s heroics it will take a special offer to lure him away from the King Power.
♓Another player on the Spanish giant’s radar is Riyad Mahrez who deservedly won PFA player of the year after a faultless season. S in January 2014, Mahrez has proven to be a bargain as he has shown his quality and is a key part of a brilliant Leicester squad. The Foxes are yet to put a price on the Algerian but have given a like Manchester United, Tottenham and PSG as well as Barcelona. Mahrez’ agent has said its a he also added that Mahrez is Also Leicester’s vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has ‘confidently declared’ that Mahrez wants to stay saying: So it can’t be guaranteed that Mahrez will be at Leicester’s disposal next season.
♐N’Golo Kante has arguably been the most hard working midfielder in Europe this season and is the reason Leicester have only lost 3 games all campaign. As you would expect he is being targeted by all big English clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea but its rumoured to be Arsenal who are the favourites to sign Kante. the Gunners want to hold further talks with Kante before paying £19.8 million to activate his release clause. Leicester but only if they have a replacement lined up. Hopefully for Leicester, they won’t lose their diligent midfielder but with big money on the table it may be hard to resist.
﷽Jamie Vardy has been one of the most prolific English strikers this season without a doubt. His rise from non-league Fleetwood Town to Premier League champion with Leicester its a true inspiration for all aspiring footballers. He has symbolised Leicester’s hard work and the right to end this season champions. There has been no mention of transfers for the 29 year old since Manchester United and Liverpool in March where Vardy’s was revealed when he signed a new 3 year deal in February. This highlights Vardy has no plans to move in the summer but should a club meet the buyout clause Vardy will hold all the cards on whether he stays or goes.
🎐So Leicester for next season what is the plan? Ranieri looks to still be at the club next summer as does Vardy and Schmeichel but as far as Kante and Mahrez are concerned its no guarantee they will both be Leicester City players next season. Why would they want to move though? Because lets remind ourselves that Leicester are the best team in England this season and are the Premier league champions and playing Champions league next season. I mean how could it get any better from here?
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