Their success is a reminder that no feat is too big, no dream unattainable.
If you’d suggested at the beginning of the season that Leicester City were going to be the Premier League champions with two games to spare, you would’ve been considered a lunatic. And yet here we stand, Claudio Ranieri grinning ear to ear as he presides over the unlikeliest of English league champions since Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest.
Here are the players who made the dream come true for the Foxes:
Kasper Schmeichel – Goalkeeper
When Manchester United fans aren’t pondering the existential crisis that their club has been thrown them into while trying to embrace Louis Van Gaal's hard-to-understand ‘philosophy’, they can take solace in the fact that since the last time their great rivals Liverpool won a league title, their legendary keeper Peter Schmeichel’s son Kasper has one of his own.
From wearing United replica kits as his father Peter saved goals during Manchester United’s most domineering era in the 90s, Kasper has finally emerged from his dad’s shadow. Starting out at Man City, Kasper spent a lot of time on loan before being snapped up by Foxes manager Sven Goran Eriksson in 2011. Kasper was one of the best keepers in the league this season as he kept 15 clean sheets, a record matched only by Petr Cech and Joe Hart.
Danny Simpson – Right Back
A Manchester United reject, the 29-year-old was ever-present at right-back but the former Red Devil has had a tumultuous time. In 2013, he was found lying in the street with blood coming out of his mouth after being hit, while in 2015 he was found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend and sentenced to 300 hours of community service. The player however finally managed to battle his personal demons as he was ever-present in the team and helped the Foxes provide a solid defence to compensate for Riyad Mahrez’s trickery in front of him on the right flank.
Wes Morgan – Centre Back
A 30-year-old centre-back, the Foxes captain spent a decade at Nottingham Forest (a club which knows a thing or two about upsetting the apple cart) as he made over 400 appearances for them in the second and third tier. He left for Leicester in 2012 and was instrumental throughout the season in providing a solid defence.
Even his first goal of the season at Old Trafford versus Manchester United helped earn the Foxes a vital point that would see them become champions after Tottenham failed to beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Robert Huth – Centre Back
The only one of the bunch to have a Premier League medal from his time at Chelsea, Huth started off with Ranieri during the former’s Chelsea days, even though he always played a bit part role. He felt out of favour in Stoke despite helping the Potters to the 2011 FA Cup final, and ended up on loan at Leicester City, and his loan was made permanent in 2015.
Christian Fuchs – Left Back
Virtually unknown in England, the left back had spells in Germany (Mainz and Schalke) before arriving in Leicester. The captain of the Austrian national team had an offer to play in the MLS but turned it down to play for Leicester where he has been ever-present in the left-back role.
Marc Albrighton – Left Winger
The former Aston Villa player was released by the Villans two summers ago and has been plying his trade on the left-wing of Leicester for the better part of the season. Often compared to David Beckham for his crossing ability, the childhood Villa fan has played 54 matches for Leicester since singing for them in 2014.
Danny Drinkwater – Centre Midfielder
Another Manchester United reject who failed to make a single appearance, he was sent off at his Old Club during the 1-1 draw that saw Leicester win the title when Tottenham drew at Stamford Bridge. His form earned him an England cap as well against the Netherlands at the end of March.
N'Golo Kante – Centre Midfielder
A man who has been likened to Claudio Makelele and Lassanna Diarra for making the anchor role his own, he turned up Leicester from Caen last summer. His tackling has been off the charts, and former Leicester hero Gary Lineker joked: “If planet Earth was ever under threat from an asteroid, I'm pretty sure that Kanté would intercept it.” His defensive work-rate has allowed the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy showcase their magic up-front.
Riyad Mahrez – Right Winger
The Algerian was voted the PFA (Professional Footballers Association) Player of the Season and has dazzled defenders with his guile and pace. Signed for a measly GBP 400,000 from French second division team Le Havre, he initially thought Leicester was a rugby side! While he was impressive last season, he was ever-present this year, and was involved in 28 goals this season!
Shinji Okazaki – Centre Forward
The Japanese forward has been a revelation during his time and completely justified the £7m tag as he linked up beautifully with his teammates after moving to Leicester from Germany. He has popped up with crucial goals throughout the season to ensure Leicester’s fairy tale continued.
Jamie Vardy – Striker
And perhaps the most unlikely English hero, the former medical splint maker and non-league footballer who was arrested for assault, Vardy has been terrorising defences with his pace. Along the way he broke Ruud Van Nistlerooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive games Premier League games, including some absolute crackers. He might have been sent off against West Ham, but by then he’d done enough to ensure that Leicester City would be the champions of England. Vardy’s meteoric rise is an inspiration to every pub-level, non-league footballer that they too can rise to the top of the game through hard work and determination.
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