Leicester primed to avoid a hat-trick of disappointment - Football365

[davieG]

https://www.football365.com/news/opinion-leicester-soumare-daka-rodgers-pressure-planning-promise

 

Leicester primed to avoid a hat-trick of disappointment 

 

 

Date published: Thursday 15th July 2021 11:00 - Matthew Stead

Boubakary Soumare and Angel Di Maria
After using Euro 2020 as the perfect distraction for transfer business, Leicester are primed to make that final step instead of stumbling.

 

Leicester chose great days to bury brilliant news. The morning after England was coming to terms with beating Germany in a knockout game, Patson Daka had arrived at his “perfect place”. By the time Boubakary Soumare joined him there little over 48 hours later, it was lost in the ether of a nervy quarter-final between Switzerland and Spain, followed with a classic Italy victory over Belgium.

Harry Kane wanted his future clarified before Euro 2020. Most clubs accepted they would have to wait until after the tournament was finished to conduct their transfer business. Leicester used the distraction to operate in plain sight: two moves worth a combined £40m barely registered on the preoccupied radar.

With European champions crowned, there is no longer any reason not to acknowledge their continued excellence. While many of their contemporaries scramble to complete panicked homework, Leicester always understand the assignment.

Daka and Soumare fit the profile. Both are 22, both are reigning league champions with their former clubs and both address at least one existing issue within the squad. Daka is the eventual Jamie Vardy replacement, an apprentice given time to acclimatise and learn from the master himself. Soumare offers yet more midfield flexibility and variation to better cope with increased domestic and European demands.

Neither, perhaps crucially, will be involved at the Africa Cup of Nations in the winter. Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Nampalys Mendy and Daniel Amartey are likely to be called upon but Zambia failed to qualify despite Daka finishing as joint top scorer in qualification alongside Victor Osimhen, while Soumare harbours realistic hopes of parlaying his 48 France youth caps into senior honours.

 

Brendan Rodgers was once synonymous with a derided transfer committee but his team at Leicester is among the continent’s best. Lee Congerton struggled at Celtic yet heads a recruitment setup in the Midlands that will be the envy of most clubs. Callum Smithson, David Mills and Philippe Pelluault have excelled in the various scouting departments. Jon Rudkin pulls it all together as Director of Football. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is the ideal modern chairman: sensible, non-interfering, happy to delegate and trusting of the right people, willing to invest at opportune moments, connected to the players and fans and aware of the importance of the wider community.

 

Their vision is clear and precedes almost all of those composite parts. Since August 2017, 18 of Leicester’s 19 first-team signings were aged between 19 and 28, the majority joining on four or five-year contracts; 16 of 19 were aged between 19 and 25, with Jonny Evans (30), Adrien Silva (28) and Rachid Ghezzal (26) the exceptions to an established rule of identifying and refining potential instead of bringing in ready-made and finished products.

 

It is striking just how efficient the planning is. No legitimately key player is ever left with less than 12 months on their deal. The three whose contracts expire in 2022 are Marc Albrighton, who is expected to stay despite predictable interest from Burnley, the solid but expendable Amartey and Besiktas-bound Ghezzal.

 

Youri Tielemans, Caglar Soyuncu, Ricardo Pereira, Ayoze Perez, Kasper Schmeichel, Hamza Choudhury, Vardy, Evans and Mendy all have deals that run until 2023 but Leicester will not let any of their futures hang over the club like a dark cloud: terms will be renewed or they will be sold while they still hold value.

Therein lies one of the more intriguing plot points surrounding this summer at the King Power Stadium. In each of the last six pre-seasons, Leicester have lost an integral part of their squad. It started with Esteban Cambiasso in 2015 and runs through N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez, Harry Maguire to Ben Chilwell in 2020. Every time the Foxes replaced, improved, upgraded. Rodgers constantly repaired his aircraft despite undue turbulence.

 

Speculation surrounds Tielemans and a move to Liverpool but the suggestion is that he will stay and continue to test the strength of a glass ceiling Leicester have already cracked over the past two years.

Finishing fifth in consecutive seasons, winning the FA Cup and almost constantly occupying a Champions League qualification place cannot be painted as anything other than exceptional progress, but at some point that dynamic will shift. Leading the chasing pack while the frontrunners drop in and out of the race will no longer be enough. As Leicester finally shed their tag as a stepping stone club, they themselves must make that final step into a closed shop without invitation.

They have already continued their phenomenal work in the shadows this summer. All eyes will be on them when the Premier League returns.

[davieG]

Can we break the glass ceiling?

[Pliskin]

Gonna say it. We’re going to win the league again. 

[whoareyaaa]

Good read didn't know we signed Angel Di Maria though?

[Raw Dykes]

I'm really looking forward to this season starting. I think Daka and Soumare are both excellent signings on paper. Bertrand is a sensible one if it ever gets announced. KDH and Sowah returning from loans will further improve the depth of the squad, and there could even yet be more signings to come. With any luck (touch wood), we won't be hit quite so hard by injuries this time, as well, and we should be able to stay consistent for longer. I really think we're doing everything the right way and we should be looking to break into the top 4 this time.

[KrefelderFox666]

I would be very surprised if we are anywhere near challenging Top 4 again. We will have a battle for Top 6/7.

 

If I had a choice, I would take a mid table finish and a run to the EL final.

[Raw Dykes]

1 minute ago, KrefelderFox666 said:

I would be very surprised if we are anywhere near challenging Top 4 again. We will have a battle for Top 6/7.

 

If I had a choice, I would take a mid table finish and a run to the EL final.

I'd be interested to know what makes you say this. Who, outside last season's top 4, do you think will be stronger than us?

[Leicester_Loyal]

5 minutes ago, KrefelderFox666 said:

I would be very surprised if we are anywhere near challenging Top 4 again. We will have a battle for Top 6/7.

 

If I had a choice, I would take a mid table finish and a run to the EL final.

I thought this last season but we coped so well for most of the season, especially with all our injuries. Add Soumare, KDH and Daka to the team, along with another years experience for everyone and we're in a much stronger position. We might get even stronger too with Bertrand coming in and potentially a RW as well.

 

If we don't finish in the top 6 I'll be extremely disappointed.

[KrefelderFox666]

2 minutes ago, Raw Dykes said:

I'd be interested to know what makes you say this. Who, outside last season's top 4, do you think will be stronger than us?

Well, we have to dispose of one of the Top 4 from last year to start. Tottenham will battle, Everton could, West Ham could. Arsenal may struggle but they have players that with a bit of work/luck can challenge. There is also one other side that has a good season, maybe Leeds.

 

I don't get why we are expecting to finish/challenge Top 4 automatically. We are not a Top 6 regular side so we need to keep challenging. Top 6/7 would be another good season in my eyes.

[UHDrive]

19 minutes ago, KrefelderFox666 said:

I would be very surprised if we are anywhere near challenging Top 4 again. We will have a battle for Top 6/7.

 

If I had a choice, I would take a mid table finish and a run to the EL final.

Really? Tottenham are that desperate that they won't let Kane go because they have no designated strikers. Arsenal can't sign anyone because no one wants to go their? That's including battling us for players and supposedly losing out. West hams fortunes only changed when Lingard went their on loan and they haven't as yet managed to prize him away nor acquire the level of talent that we have had. Everton have made 2 signings under benitez and are after Abraham, but their first 11 has been fairly stagnant and ageing for a while now with the likes of Keane and Sigurdson and the age of their squad. 

 

Best of the rest seem miles away. Wolves have made a typical few signings given their affiliations with their owners and player connections but they've had outgoings as well.

Edited 15 July 2021 by UHDrive
Typo

[Fox92]

Top 6 is doable again imo. I don't think we'll break top 4 as those sides are better than us but I can't see which two teams (to finish 5th and 6th) will be better than us.

 

Both North London sides don't really scare me. We're on par, if not better, than them.

Edited 15 July 2021 by Fox92

[LVFox]

I think we have the 5th best squad in the league now - obviously a Tielemans or Maddison leaving could change that, but as is I don't see Spurs/Arsenal/Everton/Villa finishing above us.

 

I do however, think a top four of Manchester clubs, Chelsea & Liverpool may be a little further away from us this season than the last two years.

[ozleicester]

1 hour ago, Pliskin said:

Gonna say it. We’re going to win the league again. 

European Champions 24/25

[Raw Dykes]

11 minutes ago, KrefelderFox666 said:

Well, we have to dispose of one of the Top 4 from last year to start. Tottenham will battle, Everton could, West Ham could. Arsenal may struggle but they have players that with a bit of work/luck can challenge. There is also one other side that has a good season, maybe Leeds.

 

I don't get why we are expecting to finish/challenge Top 4 automatically. We are not a Top 6 regular side so we need to keep challenging. Top 6/7 would be another good season in my eyes.

Tottenham look a bit of a mess at the moment. There's a good chance Kane won't be at his best if he's forced to stay, as well. I'll be surprised if they're challenging. Everton always disappoint and they've also lost Ancelotti. West Ham might be good, but they could be without Lingard, who was so important to them. Arsenal are not the club they once were. There could be one or two who surprise everyone, but then one of last season's top 4 could disappoint, as well.

 

Maybe people are expecting us to challenge for top 4 because we've spent all but 2 matchdays out of the last 2 seasons outside the top 4? We've finished 5th two seasons running now. At what point do you say we are a top 6 regular? We've finished 5th two seasons running, and that's with serious injury problems and a weaker squad than we have now. I understand keeping expectations in check and not getting carried away, but I think you're being overly-pessimistic. I think we look quite a lot stronger on paper than last season, and I also think it's unlikely we'll have so many bad injuries again. I'd say challenging the top 4 is a realistic goal.

[norwichfox]

I'd be very happy with a top 7 finish and a cup.

[rachhere]

41 minutes ago, KrefelderFox666 said:

I would be very surprised if we are anywhere near challenging Top 4 again. We will have a battle for Top 6/7.

 

If I had a choice, I would take a mid table finish and a run to the EL final.

This stage last year people were resigned to us finishing mid-table because of the demands of Europe, and look what happened! I would like to see us to focus on EL and our league position, using the FA cup and League cup to help build up the experience of our youngsters. 

[mydogzonfire]

Success in football isn’t just about depth and quality of the squad, it’s how that quality is deployed on the pitch, which relies on quality of coaching, management and match day tactics. We have to be thankful for BR (and his backup team) who get it right on the day more often than not. That possibly gives us an advantage over squads who may match in quality, have greater depth, but aren’t prepared / coached / managed as well.

Edited 15 July 2021 by mydogzonfire

[coolhandfox]

1 hour ago, KrefelderFox666 said:

I would be very surprised if we are anywhere near challenging Top 4 again. We will have a battle for Top 6/7.

 

If I had a choice, I would take a mid table finish and a run to the EL final.

Why currently we have a lot now one who a first-teamer and have add Daka, Soumare, plus KDH and Sowah add to the squad 

Edited 15 July 2021 by coolhandfox

[Royston.]

We have to finish top 4 or at least win Europa to get champions league.

It's been brilliant being the little guy outsmarting the big teams in the transfer market and poking our noses into their closed shop but at some point we need to seal the deal.

 

[Lako42]

I want us to actually take the European competition we are in seriously. Not much hope of that with BR though. 

 

I hate this loop of teams aiming to get into Europe in the league every year but then not giving it the required attention. 

[Mickyblueeyes]

I think for our own progress Top 6 has to be the main aim. If we manage to break the ceiling to Top 4, fantastic. However, to finish top 6 again three years in a row, really does leave a mark. 

 

I want a cup too....

[HighPeakFox]

13 minutes ago, Lako42 said:

I want us to actually take the European competition we are in seriously. Not much hope of that with BR though. 

 

I hate this loop of teams aiming to get into Europe in the league every year but then not giving it the required attention. 

Baffling opinion IMHO. 

[StriderHiryu]

2 hours ago, davieG said:

Can we break the glass ceiling?

This is the acid question, because reaching top 5 twice in a row is an incredible achievement given the resources other teams around us have. Ndombele cost 60m, Pepe cost 72m. Our club record is 32m for Tielemans, who will probably leave next season!

 

Personally I'll quite happily take a 5th placed finish and a cup again, that is some going for a team of our size and stature. Of course I'd love to see us do even better than that, but 5th and a cup is the stuff of dreams, even during the MON days when we were a consistent Premier League team.

 

If you were to ask me now, I think we will finish 5th and win the Europa League, giving Brendan and us our first ever European trophy. And that would be pretty damned good!

[messerschmitt]

1 hour ago, Raw Dykes said:

Tottenham look a bit of a mess at the moment. There's a good chance Kane won't be at his best if he's forced to stay, as well. I'll be surprised if they're challenging. Everton always disappoint and they've also lost Ancelotti. West Ham might be good, but they could be without Lingard, who was so important to them. Arsenal are not the club they once were. There could be one or two who surprise everyone, but then one of last season's top 4 could disappoint, as well.

 

Maybe people are expecting us to challenge for top 4 because we've spent all but 2 matchdays out of the last 2 seasons outside the top 4? We've finished 5th two seasons running now. At what point do you say we are a top 6 regular? We've finished 5th two seasons running, and that's with serious injury problems and a weaker squad than we have now. I understand keeping expectations in check and not getting carried away, but I think you're being overly-pessimistic. I think we look quite a lot stronger on paper than last season, and I also think it's unlikely we'll have so many bad injuries again. I'd say challenging the top 4 is a realistic goal.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Chelsea underachieve and Tuchel get the sack

[foxile5]

2 hours ago, whoareyaaa said:

Good read didn't know we signed Angel Di Maria though?

It's testament to our club when I ask, seriously, would he get into our team?