Football News: Leicester City, Where Has It All Gone Wrong?

Image from: dawn.com

This time last season the Foxes hit the top of the Premier League, as they went on an unbelievable ride to win it for the first time. 12 months later and they are a struggling mid-table side, in 14th place, and looking a world away from the team that swept all before them last year. Yet their Champions League form is showing that they can still play, as they are qualified for the knockout rounds in their first ever crack at Europe's premier competition.

The fears of the 'big clubs' poaching all the best players in the summer proved, mostly at least, unfounded, as all bar N'Golo Kante turned down offers to move and stayed put. On the face of it, the loss of Kante could easily have been seen as the cause of the slump, as his defection to Chelsea is, in big part, why they are a different side this time around. He is, quite simply, the best in European football at the central midfield box to box workhorse role. Though workhorse does undersell his contribution, as he offers so much more than just graft to the side. He is a quality player on the ball, as well as when you need to win it back.

However, that does not explain how come the form in Europe is still excellent. While Kante has not been replaced properly, simply because there is no one to replace him, it is not all about him. There is a clear problem with the players' attitudes this season, they are just not 'up for it' like they were last season. They are so obsessed with the Champions League that their focus on the bread and butter of the league has gone altogether.

In fact, I have to say, much as it goes against most of what I believe, I can fully understand the frustrations of the Leicester City fans, which led to them booing their own team at the weekend. They know that their players are letting them down in the Prem. They know that those players can do more, and should do more, as they get to see them in the Champions League playing to their full potential.

Written by Tris Burke November 29 2016 07:35:47