Can Leicester carry on their form next season, or just a flash in the pan?

[JJ1532]

They won't defend their title. Reckon they'll get silly bids from teams for Mahrez, Vardy and Kante and they'll cash in, as they should do. But with the cash that those sales should bring in, plus CL money and PL title winners money, they'll be absolutely loaded. Just a matter of finding some replacements that aren't mercenaries after a quick pay day. Get the scouting right and they'll be laughing. Southampton proved that you can stay competitive whilst selling your best players, see no reason why Leicester can't do the same into next season. But with Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City all likely improving next season, I think a mid table finish for them would be a more than reasonable achievement. Just got to hope the distraction of the CL doesn't affect them too much.

 

[JimJams]

I think Kante might be the only one we'd lose and we'd lose him abroad I'd imagine. Mahrez has already said he doesn't want to sign for PSG (I'm not sure they were interested but he was asked if he would) and I think we'll keepe everyone else no problem. The fact is the majority seem to think that we are Mahrez Vardy and Kante and the rest of the side are poor and we've gone the season with 'team spirit' 'togetherness' and 'fight'. Quality doesn't seem to be allowed to uttered when players like Albrighton and Simpson are talked about so I doubt we'll lose any of them. In fairness before this season Simpson was shite but he's stepped up a lot.
So we'll get some new faces in the summer. Musa who we wanted in January I imagine we'll get as a Vardy replacement in games or even play him on the wing. Other than that I don't know. Our big signing last summer was Inler and he is probably the only player to feature for us this season in the league who hasn't made any contribution.
Cambiasso was our big name, experienced pro and he worked out great Inler was this years and he's not. I don't think we'll look at bringing in a big name in their twilight again now. Though apparently Totti has ruled out a move? Thank Christ.

It is quite funny how we've been written off for next season before we've even lifted the trophy this. We've been written off for a year and a half now and gone on to prove all the doubters wrong in each situation. Survival last season, survival this, top 6, top 4, title and now next season in the CL we'll be an embarrassment. You'd think we'd get a little bit more credit for what we might be capable of next year but it seems not.

I don't see our side doing anything but improving so it depends on how much everybody else improves as to how well we fare next season. I'd go with top 6 and if we get a favourable group in the CL we'd hope to get through that stage. Zenit had Valencia, Lyon and Gent in their group. I see no reason we couldn't get out of that type of group.

As for Ranieri getting the sack, if he wins the league he can stay as long as he likes for the fans. For the owners I'd imagine that's a different thing though.

 

[JimJams]

That Smat fella looks like he knows the score.

 

[voltage]

It's hard to predict. There's the point the market probably will target Leicester but I doubt many of them would like to leave in this situation (playing Champions League etc. etc.). But they proved they're really good beyond surprising so nothing prevents them of repeating the dose.

 

[MJA]

The encouraging thing for me about them is that they've had to adapt time and time again. They were free flowing, and got a reward for keeping a clean sheet against Palace if people remember, clean sheets were that rare. In March they had a succession of 1-0s, Ranieri knows how to mix it up. Tactically, I don't think they'll be found out.

I was discussing this the other day actually.

My take on this is that when they were still little Leicester who had no level of expectation (except to stay up) on their shoulders they were able to be the free flowing side who loved to let other teams have the ball and then nick it off them and hit them on the break very quickly. This was resulting in exciting high scoring matches where Leicester weren't concerned about conceding goals because they always felt that they had the attacking power to outscore the opposition. Once the reality that Leicester might actually win the PL struck them (probably around February time), this side to their game disappeared and suddenly their defence became an integral part of what they were doing as '1-0 to the Leicester' became the new craze as they ground result after result out whilst losing some of that excitement they had brought to their game earlier in the season.

Both aspects of the above have worked for Leicester this season as proven by the league table. But my question would be, will Leicester be able to revert back to the style of play which made them title challengers in the first place or will the stereotypical Italian style, grinding results out be here to stay? Personally, I can't see the latter working over a full season

 

[merseyboyred]

Depends on if they keep hold of their key personnel, there'll be admiring glances cast at those medical staff from France, Spain & Germany.

 

[Art Morte]

After the "title defence" that Chelsea put up this season, Leicester will have no pressure about theirs. I don't expect them to be in the top-4, but nowhere near the relegation zone, either.

 

[Renegade]

All-time Ranieri league finishes throughout his career:

Cagliari - got them promoted two divisions from Serie C1 to Serie A in two successive seasons.
Napoli - 4th.
Fiorentina - 10th, 4th.
Valencia - 9th, 4th.
Atletico - resigned whilst team were into administration.
Chelsea - 6th, 6th, 4th, 2nd.
Valencia - sacked whilst 6th in the league.
Parma - saved the team from relegation after joining mid-season.
Juventus - 3rd, 2nd
Roma - 2nd, sacked whilst team eventually finished 6th.
Inter - sacked whilst in 8th.
Monaco - gained promotion to Ligue 1 in first season, finished 2nd in Ligue 1 second season.
Leicester - about to win the league.

Alright, so he may not be the elite of the elite when it comes to management, but why on earth are people predicting a side managed by this man to possibly get relegated when he's never even finished outside the top 10 when he started the season as a club's manager? Maybe he couldn't win league titles with some of the biggest clubs in the world, but he's still better than 99% of the managers available.

Leicester may lose some of their best players, but as long as The Tinkerman stays they should expect to do well in the Premier League. Ranieri has a great track record when it comes to recruitment and they will be able to replenish with the additional Champions League revenue they are going to receive. They have gained many fans for life around the world thanks to this season, Leicester are in a superb position to build upon this success and become an established side in the top half of the Premier League.

Ranieri's absolutely woeful performance as the Greece manager was the best thing that's ever happened to Leicester City. It turned an established manager, who has spent most of his time managing teams that play in European competition, into a bit a of a joke. He became instantly attainable and now everyone has remembered that this guy was actually always really good. I pray they hold onto Mahrez and Kante, but even if they don't, I would be shocked if they weren't competing for the Europa League positions next season at the very least.

 

[KevinMcallister]

CL again

hopefully one of the ignorant, elitist big 4 go bankrupt

 

[SALTIRE]

It depends on several factors obviously. Whether they lose too many players in the summer, which I'm not sure will happen; and whether they'll be up for pushing on next year again to try for top four as they may take their foot off the pedal slightly which is understandable after the phenomenal effort of this season; also they'll have CL commitments too which will strain them a bit. If they are still hungry, and the personnel doesn't change that much, I can see them pushing for Europe again, why not.

 

[Madglover]

Probably around 5th-8th.

I think the champions league will hit them, plus Kante and I think Mahrez might leave who are arguably Leicester best two players.

But I don't think they will totally fall apart but I can't see this season being repeated. Truly amazing what they have done this year.

 

[JoshBCFC]

Agree with above, don't think they'll have some sort of monumental collapse but they won't win the league again IMO. If they manage to keep hold of their key players (Mahrez, Kante, Vardy) though, then that could change things.

 

[Smally]

Easy top half, a lot will depend on recruitment in the summer and how they handle Europe

 

[Stevencc]

Sky Bet have Leicester as 33/1 to win the league and 25/1 to be relegated for next season.

 

[kieran_vale]

If I was to have a guess now I'd imagine they will have a similar sort of season to what Stoke have had this year. Something like that, maybe threatening a Europa spot for a bit then just falling short. Not that they will care. This season will be worth any downturn that may or may not come afterwards to any of their fans. They certainly will not go down though.

 

[Nilsson]

It all depends on how they do in the transfer market. It's imperative that they keep hold of Kante and Mahrez as I can't see them bringing in anything better. And I think they'll need another goalscorer as I can't see Vardy replicating his goalscoring exploits next season. If pushed I'd guess they'll finish midtable next season and go on an enjoyable CL run.

 

[Max]

I think the idea they'll struggle to stay up is ludicrous. Biggest mistake they could make is to get too many new faces in. A lot of the better performers will know that they won't be able to emulate their good form at other clubs, and won't be burning to leave. Assuming they lose a couple from Kante, Drinkwater, Vardy, Mahrez etc I still they'll finish top half - gonna say 7th.

 

[Balance]

Will their players have bulging eyes next season?

 

[JimJams]

We're not signing Ozil if that's what you mean.

 

[mistermagic]

No. They'll get smacked by PSG 20-0 on aggregate and be depressed for the remainder of the season.

 

[JimJams]

That would mean we made the knockout stages though mate. Good times...

 

[Tilbury]

After the "title defence" that Chelsea put up this season, Leicester will have no pressure about theirs. I don't expect them to be in the top-4, but nowhere near the relegation zone, either.

Really? I'd have thought the opposite. Chelsea didn't loose any key players and everyone predicted us to go on and dominate for a few years with the squad we had/have. If Leicester win the league I think they'll have pressure not to do a 'Chelsea', but probably after having lost some key players whilst entering the complete unknown for them of CL football.

 

[Art Morte]

Really? I'd have thought the opposite. Chelsea didn't loose any key players and everyone predicted us to go on and dominate for a few years with the squad we had/have. If Leicester win the league I think they'll have pressure not to do a 'Chelsea', but probably after having lost some key players whilst entering the complete unknown for them of CL football.

Leicester are not suddenly a big club who are expected to do well every season now. They can finish 15th next season and people won't be laughing at them, they will be still talking about how amazing their title win was last season.

 

[mistermagic]

That would mean we made the knockout stages though mate. Good times...

No I meant in the group stages.

Joking aside, I would love us to draw Leicester next season.

 

[JimJams]

You can't.

 

[mistermagic]

Because we'll automatically win? Come on man don't be so negative.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I dunno, unlike your companions in your shite league, teams in this league don't roll over and die. I must point out that you lost to a (according to the league table) worse side than Leicester over two legs too.

 

[JimJams]

Because league champions are all seeded and will avoid eachother in the groups.

Mahrez already turned you boys down lad, we own the players you want. Gonna be great rolling you over!

 

[snortingfrogs]

Top 4 with the right players coming in is not far fetched imho.

 

[merseyboyred]

Top 4 with the right players coming in is not far fetched imho.

Would be pretty odd to find it far fetched that the League Champions could finish 4th the next season.